This morning began for me, with some grave clothes laying about. You know, reminders of loss, sorrow, and fear. And I am tempted to just stare at them, as Peter did at Jesus' empty tomb, and wonder to myself what has happened. (Luke 24:12) Looking at this empty tomb, and neatly folded strips of linen, Mary and the disciples believed that someone had moved Jesus' body, and they were filled with distress. They had no idea that this stessful situation they had found themselves in, was instead the greatest miracle and blessing of all time. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior - and the redemption for all mankind, salvation ~ victory ~ LIFE ~ hope. Even though it appeared to be empty grave clothes, a stolen body, and further loss. Appearances are deceiving. We cannot look upon our present circumstances and decide the future, because it is when all is lost ~ that God can fully rescue and redeem the situation. And so the angels are the first ones to comfort and minister. They tell them, "do not be alarmed," Mark 16, "do not be afraid," Matt. 28, and John's Gospel tells us that one angel even asked Mary, "why are you crying?"
And then they see Jesus.
Matthew tells us that Jesus says "Greetings" first, but John records that He said "Mary" - He called her by name. I can hear Him calling me by name this morning, "Lisetta". And then He says "Do not be afraid."
He knows your name, and He knows that you are afraid, just as He knew that Mary was afraid. He knows that the situation looks bleak, that the tomb is empty and the body is gone, He knows how this must seem. But He says, "Do not be afraid."
So let me just speak some Truth over us;
"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
I would have it no other way, than for the Lord to remind me that all of these earthly things are passing away, that grave clothes on a fallen planet are a certainty, and my HOPE is not in these things - but in Jesus Christ through whose death I received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is through Him that I can overflow with hope - real hope. That is what I want - filled up and spilling over Hope.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Putting your praise to God in writing
I know it has been forever since I blogged, and God has worked so many miracles for our family that I need to put in writing. But tonight I would just like to tell you about my Emma putting her praise to God in writing. While I was cooking dinner, Emma was busy in her playroom at her new art table (which is one of my childhood pieces of furniture ~ recently converted to an art desk for Emma and Madeleine). She was so quiet and so good! When I called her to dinner, she said - "Come see what I did!" And there it was ~ sentence after sentence of praise to God. Here are a few (all phonetically spelled - and being a former 1st grade teacher, I LOVE "cinde" which is "kind" of course - she put that silent "e" on the end to make "i" say his own name!). "God loves you." "He protects us." "He is watching us." "He made people." "He made you." "He is nice and kind.""He cares about us." "The streets are golden in Heaven.""You are incredible." "You are my hero." - and about 5 other statements of worship and praise, all very carefully written first in ballpoint pen then traced over in a variety of colors of marker and crayon - all inscribed... on the table.
When I first saw this piece of work, I literally gasped - "Emma!!! Why did you write on the furniture???? You have ruined this table!" I mean - she is 6!!! She has never written on the furniture! She KNOWS not to write on the furniture! Even Madeleine was aghast ~ she was saying "Emma, we write on paper!" Just as I was about to blow a gasket or cry - I saw what she had written. I was very upset, which made her sad - I can not have her thinking it is a good idea to write on the furniture! But, after I read her writings, I quickly told her how pleased God is when we worship Him, and how He delights in her words - but for future preaching - we need to stick to paper.
I asked her why she did this - and she said, "well, it was just so plain." She figured it was her art table - and it needed some art on it. My sister said that she thought it needed some character anyway. She likes that Emma will always have "The Word" under her art now. Mom says that I should shellac the thing in order to preserve her work.
Emma said how very sorry she was, and I told her that it was ok - it will probably end up being my favorite piece of furniture when she is grown and gone. But, truth be told ~ it already is my favorite piece of furniture.
When I first saw this piece of work, I literally gasped - "Emma!!! Why did you write on the furniture???? You have ruined this table!" I mean - she is 6!!! She has never written on the furniture! She KNOWS not to write on the furniture! Even Madeleine was aghast ~ she was saying "Emma, we write on paper!" Just as I was about to blow a gasket or cry - I saw what she had written. I was very upset, which made her sad - I can not have her thinking it is a good idea to write on the furniture! But, after I read her writings, I quickly told her how pleased God is when we worship Him, and how He delights in her words - but for future preaching - we need to stick to paper.
I asked her why she did this - and she said, "well, it was just so plain." She figured it was her art table - and it needed some art on it. My sister said that she thought it needed some character anyway. She likes that Emma will always have "The Word" under her art now. Mom says that I should shellac the thing in order to preserve her work.
Emma said how very sorry she was, and I told her that it was ok - it will probably end up being my favorite piece of furniture when she is grown and gone. But, truth be told ~ it already is my favorite piece of furniture.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
"you removed my sackcloth...
...and clothed me with joy. That my heart may sing to you and not be silent, O Lord my God I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12
I want to record the blessings from the Lord concerning my accident. He protected and provided in so many ways, and I have come to know Him deeper as a Merciful God.
First of all, the girls were not with me in the car. They were with me 2 Sundays ago on the way to church, and Emma rode with me this week ~ but last week I was alone. Praise, praise, praise God.
Another blessing is the car that I wrecked was our 11 year old Honda with 160,000 miles on it. The AC no longer worked, the locks did not work, there was a large crack in the windshield, and it was truly a "let's pray this car lasts through law school" car. Between the 2 cars, much better to total that one, than the one we really depend on. Plus, had I been driving the Tahoe, I likely would have caused more injury to the girl that I hit. Which brings me to the biggest praise of the whole accident. Both she and I, walked away from our cars. I have spent too much time thinking of what I could have done to another person because of my carelessness, and I just praise our Merciful Savior for protecting her. The EMT on the scene checked her and said she was fine, but she went to the ER just to be sure, and they did find a fracture in her hand. I was devastated when I learned I had hurt her, but praising God that it was not spinal or head injuries. Thank you Jesus. (please pray that she heals quickly.) The police officer on the scene mistook me for a witness when I walked up to him, because he thought that the person driving the Honda must be in the ambulance (from looking at the car). God provided supernatural protection that I did not deserve.
One of the most amazing provisions this week, has been a car to borrow. I never thought I would need to borrow a CAR - but here we are, and I believe that this is straight from the Lord (via the Carll family.) Kendall Carll decided he could not pass up a great deal on a new Suburban for his wife, Brandy, expecting baby number 3. So, 2 days before I totaled our car, he bought a new car - which left a Dodge Durango sitting in the family driveway until March 15th, when he will trade in the car he is driving and drive the Durango again. So, they have graciously loaned us the Durango, and told us they do not need it back until March. Is that amazing? The Lord foreknew what I would do in my sinfulness, and already had a provision in place in order to begin the "redeeming process". To say that we are indebted to the Carll's is quite an understatement. When I explained to the girls, where this BEAUTIFUL almost new vehicle came from, Emma said, "What can we give to someone who is letting us use their car? We can't give anything that is equal to a car!" My sentiments exactly. All I have to give, is glory to the Lord because of their generosity. We will all testify to the goodness of God because of this family. When I told Billy about the offer of the car through February, he said, "that is amazing, because I was trying to figure out a way to get us to March when we will likely get a tax refund and be able to combine that with the insurance check and get something a little more dependable." God's timing is miraculous. Just amazes us.
Yet another provision, is that my Sunday school teacher told me Wednesday night, that several families in our class were pitching in, and the deductible was covered. Then my dear sweet childhood friend, Ginger, came over last night with an envelope filled with the amount of my deductible, and said that Her husband wants to cover it for us. Neither Ginger and Scott or my Sunday School friends will take their money back ~ they both say, if the deductible is already covered, then use it for groceries... so, the deductible was covered, twice. I even tried to give money back to a couple at church today who had not contributed (I thought they had). That was awkward - haha - they were like, "um, we don't know what you are talking about, but we would have given if we had known." Could you just die? Oh, the lessons in humility just keep coming. So, my friend, Cynthia, says that is what I get for trying to give people's money back after the Lord has provided. :)
There were a million other provisions. One of my worries on Sunday was, how am I going to get to the grocery store and get meals planned for this week when I can't even get out of bed? Regardless of my depression, my family has to eat. I did not have to cook all week, because people just kept showing up with food.
I remember gripping the wheel in the middle of the accident and just saying, "Help me Jesus" over and over again. And I now realize that He already had. He had gone before me and worked out a car, deductible payment, and even meals for the week. I am so unworthy, but He is merciful.
The sweetest gift of the accident was being able to see Billy walk in such forgiveness and love towards me. I have put us in an even worse financial spot than we already were. Put us in an even greater spot of dependence, and brought a huge burden on him right before finals. He has done nothing but extend grace and kindness. When he arrived at the scene of the accident, I said - "what are we going to do? I have totaled your car" and he said "we will buy a new car." Just like that - as if we could! :) This week he has washed dishes, done laundry, bought flowers - anything he can think of to show me he loves me, regardless of my failures.
I am so thankful to God for my friends, my church, my husband, my family. God is a merciful Savior - and I believe He allowed me to fall in my sinfulness in order to show Himself mighty. The day after the accident, my friend Cara texted me 2 Cor. 12 :9 "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." ~ Now, that is something I can offer the Lord, weakness... Paul goes on to say, "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Praise Jesus.
I want to record the blessings from the Lord concerning my accident. He protected and provided in so many ways, and I have come to know Him deeper as a Merciful God.
First of all, the girls were not with me in the car. They were with me 2 Sundays ago on the way to church, and Emma rode with me this week ~ but last week I was alone. Praise, praise, praise God.
Another blessing is the car that I wrecked was our 11 year old Honda with 160,000 miles on it. The AC no longer worked, the locks did not work, there was a large crack in the windshield, and it was truly a "let's pray this car lasts through law school" car. Between the 2 cars, much better to total that one, than the one we really depend on. Plus, had I been driving the Tahoe, I likely would have caused more injury to the girl that I hit. Which brings me to the biggest praise of the whole accident. Both she and I, walked away from our cars. I have spent too much time thinking of what I could have done to another person because of my carelessness, and I just praise our Merciful Savior for protecting her. The EMT on the scene checked her and said she was fine, but she went to the ER just to be sure, and they did find a fracture in her hand. I was devastated when I learned I had hurt her, but praising God that it was not spinal or head injuries. Thank you Jesus. (please pray that she heals quickly.) The police officer on the scene mistook me for a witness when I walked up to him, because he thought that the person driving the Honda must be in the ambulance (from looking at the car). God provided supernatural protection that I did not deserve.
One of the most amazing provisions this week, has been a car to borrow. I never thought I would need to borrow a CAR - but here we are, and I believe that this is straight from the Lord (via the Carll family.) Kendall Carll decided he could not pass up a great deal on a new Suburban for his wife, Brandy, expecting baby number 3. So, 2 days before I totaled our car, he bought a new car - which left a Dodge Durango sitting in the family driveway until March 15th, when he will trade in the car he is driving and drive the Durango again. So, they have graciously loaned us the Durango, and told us they do not need it back until March. Is that amazing? The Lord foreknew what I would do in my sinfulness, and already had a provision in place in order to begin the "redeeming process". To say that we are indebted to the Carll's is quite an understatement. When I explained to the girls, where this BEAUTIFUL almost new vehicle came from, Emma said, "What can we give to someone who is letting us use their car? We can't give anything that is equal to a car!" My sentiments exactly. All I have to give, is glory to the Lord because of their generosity. We will all testify to the goodness of God because of this family. When I told Billy about the offer of the car through February, he said, "that is amazing, because I was trying to figure out a way to get us to March when we will likely get a tax refund and be able to combine that with the insurance check and get something a little more dependable." God's timing is miraculous. Just amazes us.
Yet another provision, is that my Sunday school teacher told me Wednesday night, that several families in our class were pitching in, and the deductible was covered. Then my dear sweet childhood friend, Ginger, came over last night with an envelope filled with the amount of my deductible, and said that Her husband wants to cover it for us. Neither Ginger and Scott or my Sunday School friends will take their money back ~ they both say, if the deductible is already covered, then use it for groceries... so, the deductible was covered, twice. I even tried to give money back to a couple at church today who had not contributed (I thought they had). That was awkward - haha - they were like, "um, we don't know what you are talking about, but we would have given if we had known." Could you just die? Oh, the lessons in humility just keep coming. So, my friend, Cynthia, says that is what I get for trying to give people's money back after the Lord has provided. :)
There were a million other provisions. One of my worries on Sunday was, how am I going to get to the grocery store and get meals planned for this week when I can't even get out of bed? Regardless of my depression, my family has to eat. I did not have to cook all week, because people just kept showing up with food.
I remember gripping the wheel in the middle of the accident and just saying, "Help me Jesus" over and over again. And I now realize that He already had. He had gone before me and worked out a car, deductible payment, and even meals for the week. I am so unworthy, but He is merciful.
The sweetest gift of the accident was being able to see Billy walk in such forgiveness and love towards me. I have put us in an even worse financial spot than we already were. Put us in an even greater spot of dependence, and brought a huge burden on him right before finals. He has done nothing but extend grace and kindness. When he arrived at the scene of the accident, I said - "what are we going to do? I have totaled your car" and he said "we will buy a new car." Just like that - as if we could! :) This week he has washed dishes, done laundry, bought flowers - anything he can think of to show me he loves me, regardless of my failures.
I am so thankful to God for my friends, my church, my husband, my family. God is a merciful Savior - and I believe He allowed me to fall in my sinfulness in order to show Himself mighty. The day after the accident, my friend Cara texted me 2 Cor. 12 :9 "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." ~ Now, that is something I can offer the Lord, weakness... Paul goes on to say, "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Praise Jesus.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Accidents Happen
Is what I tell people, until it is me, and I have accidently run a red light totaled our car, and hit another vehicle. And then, accepting God's forgiveness and grace, amidst my own sinfulness and humanity is so difficult. During these 2 years of unemployment, I have never once felt that I deserved any of the provisions that God so miraculously produced through His saints. I struggled and still do, with the humility required to accept God's help when it comes through another person's sacrifice. It is so hard. But, I have come to a place where I realize that as I beg God for help in my prayers, I have no right to tell Him "how" to answer that need. And, I need to accept His provisions, however He offers them. So, I never felt that I deserved any of the provisions, but after Sunday - I felt totally unworthy of even accepting them. Here, I had failed in such a huge way, and I was so ashamed and so guilty. It was all my fault. I felt unworthy of my jobs at the church or even prayers offered on my behalf. I felt totally condemned. I spent 2 days in an absolute "pit" of dispair, struggling under the weight my "works based" faith.
I realize now, that I thought that I could "accept" God's love and provisions because I was "working" so hard. And here, in this place of total and public failure - I have had to come to terms with the grace offered by His death on the cross. Not only can I never add anything to His payment (which I clearly understood), my failures can never subtract from His payment either. If every day, for the rest of my life, I fail as big as I failed when I ran that red light and hit another person, I still stand righteous through Jesus Christ - whose payment on the cross is enough. Paul said, "This righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Works are simply my response to His faithfulness, not any type of merit system. I would never be found worthy enough, because I am a sinner in need of a Savior. But, by the blood of the Lamb, I can stand worthy and holy and even righteous before the Throne of Grace. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - He, even He is the One who blots out my transgressions and remembers my sins no more - If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (Romans 8:1, Isaiah 43:25, 1 John 1:9)
So now, I have a choice. Just as salvation is freely offered to all who will accept it, grace and mercy are feely offered as well. I can choose to live under guilt and shame, or I can accept the Grace paid for by the cross, and walk in freedom. I choose freedom, if for no other reason than to be an example to those around me who are still living under condemnation. I want to accept the grace extended to me, and walk with my head lifted - not because of anything I have done, because of what He has done on the cross. And it is my prayer, that someone else might choose the same through this testimony...
I realize now, that I thought that I could "accept" God's love and provisions because I was "working" so hard. And here, in this place of total and public failure - I have had to come to terms with the grace offered by His death on the cross. Not only can I never add anything to His payment (which I clearly understood), my failures can never subtract from His payment either. If every day, for the rest of my life, I fail as big as I failed when I ran that red light and hit another person, I still stand righteous through Jesus Christ - whose payment on the cross is enough. Paul said, "This righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Works are simply my response to His faithfulness, not any type of merit system. I would never be found worthy enough, because I am a sinner in need of a Savior. But, by the blood of the Lamb, I can stand worthy and holy and even righteous before the Throne of Grace. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - He, even He is the One who blots out my transgressions and remembers my sins no more - If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (Romans 8:1, Isaiah 43:25, 1 John 1:9)
So now, I have a choice. Just as salvation is freely offered to all who will accept it, grace and mercy are feely offered as well. I can choose to live under guilt and shame, or I can accept the Grace paid for by the cross, and walk in freedom. I choose freedom, if for no other reason than to be an example to those around me who are still living under condemnation. I want to accept the grace extended to me, and walk with my head lifted - not because of anything I have done, because of what He has done on the cross. And it is my prayer, that someone else might choose the same through this testimony...
Saturday, September 25, 2010
You have put more joy in my heart...
My devotional this morning was about the wedding feast at Cana, the location of the first miracle of Jesus. The wine has run out, the host is about to be embarrassed, and the celebrating will end. My notes in my Bible tell me that to run out of wine broke strong unwritten rules of hospitality, so I assume this would have left quite the black smear on the bride's wedding week. Heartbreaking for a parent.
I love the simplicity of this miracle. I think, "isn't there more important things to do than to provide more refreshments at a wedding feast?" But, to know that Jesus cares about the things that we may feel are not worthy of His attention. I often find myself feeling guilty for going to Him for help, when there are so many others out there with needs greater than mine. And I feel guilty receiving such help from Him, when I know there are others who need it worse than me.
But, Jesus cared about this bride and He cared about her family. So, He took jars used for ceremonial cleansing (legalism) and had them filled up with water, and then turned that water into wine, just so the celebrating did not have to stop, and the family would not be embarrassed. That is a picture of the abundant life that He offers us when we trust in Him. That no request is too insignificant when laid before the Lord, and then offered back to Him for His glory after He meets the need.
And look who gets to be front row witnesses to this first miracle ~ the servants! We do not know who all was aware of the problem. Clearly, Mary, because she was the one who asked Jesus to help, and the servants, because she said to them - "Do whatever He says", and they did ~ and they got to be a part of a miracle. But likely, most of the guests just went right on enjoying the party and never knew there was a problem. They just thought the host saved the best wine for the end. This would have been odd - but whatever!
I want to be those servants - I want to know about the problem, obey when told, "Do whatever He says." And then sit back and watch Him transform my life into abundance, and fill up my empty jars.
For us, the empty jars are financial right now - but couldn't it be empty jars of Joy or Hope or Peace? We all have empty jars in our lives - that Jesus wants to fill up with something better than we could ever imagine. If we would only recognize the need, ask, and then obey.
I will tell you that the Lord has been blessing us lately. Precious friends have been led by Him to help us in the past week in miraculous ways - and I am overwhelmed by the generosity. And every time someone gives to us, I want to say - "No no no, we don't need that! The Lord will provide!" And then I hear God say, "I just did."
It is hard to accept the Lord's provisions however He gives them. It is humbling. But it is His job to decide how He will save us. And it is my job to offer Him glory and praise for the "save".
"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Psalm 4:7
I love the simplicity of this miracle. I think, "isn't there more important things to do than to provide more refreshments at a wedding feast?" But, to know that Jesus cares about the things that we may feel are not worthy of His attention. I often find myself feeling guilty for going to Him for help, when there are so many others out there with needs greater than mine. And I feel guilty receiving such help from Him, when I know there are others who need it worse than me.
But, Jesus cared about this bride and He cared about her family. So, He took jars used for ceremonial cleansing (legalism) and had them filled up with water, and then turned that water into wine, just so the celebrating did not have to stop, and the family would not be embarrassed. That is a picture of the abundant life that He offers us when we trust in Him. That no request is too insignificant when laid before the Lord, and then offered back to Him for His glory after He meets the need.
And look who gets to be front row witnesses to this first miracle ~ the servants! We do not know who all was aware of the problem. Clearly, Mary, because she was the one who asked Jesus to help, and the servants, because she said to them - "Do whatever He says", and they did ~ and they got to be a part of a miracle. But likely, most of the guests just went right on enjoying the party and never knew there was a problem. They just thought the host saved the best wine for the end. This would have been odd - but whatever!
I want to be those servants - I want to know about the problem, obey when told, "Do whatever He says." And then sit back and watch Him transform my life into abundance, and fill up my empty jars.
For us, the empty jars are financial right now - but couldn't it be empty jars of Joy or Hope or Peace? We all have empty jars in our lives - that Jesus wants to fill up with something better than we could ever imagine. If we would only recognize the need, ask, and then obey.
I will tell you that the Lord has been blessing us lately. Precious friends have been led by Him to help us in the past week in miraculous ways - and I am overwhelmed by the generosity. And every time someone gives to us, I want to say - "No no no, we don't need that! The Lord will provide!" And then I hear God say, "I just did."
It is hard to accept the Lord's provisions however He gives them. It is humbling. But it is His job to decide how He will save us. And it is my job to offer Him glory and praise for the "save".
"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Psalm 4:7
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
That's how we roll
Well, the other night, Emma decided she would like to go to the roller rink. This was not an option 30 minutes before bedtime, so I appeased her with a roll down the street after dinner. Madeleine decided she would join us, which is never a good thing, as Madeleine is not what you would call an "outdoors woman". I prepared for a fair amount of whining about the heat, but thought, "well this might be a nice after dinner roll in the neighborhood." Boy was I wrong...
Emma got suited up in her roller skates and we went out to the garage to get Madeleine's choice of transportation. It went something like this, "I want to ride the scooter, no the bike, no the scooter, no the tricycle, no the bike..." 15 minutes later Madeleine settled on the tricycle. I was already frustrated, and we had not even made it out of our garage ya'll!
So, we get around to the front of the house, and I notice that Madeleine has a My Little Pony (Pinkie Pie) and the motorized scooter she can ride on. I immediately forsee the future - I will be carrying Pinkie Pie and the remote control scooter during our roll down the street - and I tell Madeleine, "absolutely not". To which she replies to me, "No mom, Pink Pie is going to scoot down the street next to me." So, the child peddaled a tricycle while using the remote control to scoot Pinkie Pie down the street next to her. It was such a sight, I had to take a picture with my phone.
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OK, so as you can imagine the remote control My Little Pony scooter is not a high powered vehicle,and we are scooting down the street at a snail's pace and it was about a thousand degrees, and for some reason there was a swarm of mosquitos. I do not know if they had just migrated into the neighborhood - but it was crazy amounts of mosquitos. SO, we are CRAWLING down the street, and being eaten alive.
MEANWHILE, Emma is not interested in inching along, so she is skating ahead and falling down (she is not quite an apt skater yet). I can not stay up with her, and try to catch her each time because I am having to keep pace with Pinkie Pie's motorized scooter. So, Emma is just throwing herself down in a variety of neigbors front yards and having a kicking screaming fit because she is hurt/ frustrated/ tired. But, then she wants to get up and keep trying - oh why does she have to be so determined? SO, on down the street we continue.
Then another problem arises. I start trying to stay a little closer to Emma, because I honestly thought I would lose my mind if I had to keep walking at Pinkie Pie's scooter pace. And when Emma and I are both ahead of Madeleine ~ she gets angry. So, she starts ringing her bell on her tricycle and yelling, "Hear that bell? That means stop!" Of course we both ignore her, which means more bell ringing and more yelling from the peanut gallery. Here is a picture of Emma skating and Madeleine hollering at us from behind.
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I did get many sympathetic looks from walkers who have clearly "been there done that", and I have a sneaky suspicion that they would not want to do it again. But not me, I know that these are the moments that I will remember and reflect back on and wish I had just one more hot night with my 5 year old, 6 year old, and Pinkie Pie on her motorized scooter...
Emma got suited up in her roller skates and we went out to the garage to get Madeleine's choice of transportation. It went something like this, "I want to ride the scooter, no the bike, no the scooter, no the tricycle, no the bike..." 15 minutes later Madeleine settled on the tricycle. I was already frustrated, and we had not even made it out of our garage ya'll!
So, we get around to the front of the house, and I notice that Madeleine has a My Little Pony (Pinkie Pie) and the motorized scooter she can ride on. I immediately forsee the future - I will be carrying Pinkie Pie and the remote control scooter during our roll down the street - and I tell Madeleine, "absolutely not". To which she replies to me, "No mom, Pink Pie is going to scoot down the street next to me." So, the child peddaled a tricycle while using the remote control to scoot Pinkie Pie down the street next to her. It was such a sight, I had to take a picture with my phone.
.jpg)
OK, so as you can imagine the remote control My Little Pony scooter is not a high powered vehicle,and we are scooting down the street at a snail's pace and it was about a thousand degrees, and for some reason there was a swarm of mosquitos. I do not know if they had just migrated into the neighborhood - but it was crazy amounts of mosquitos. SO, we are CRAWLING down the street, and being eaten alive.
MEANWHILE, Emma is not interested in inching along, so she is skating ahead and falling down (she is not quite an apt skater yet). I can not stay up with her, and try to catch her each time because I am having to keep pace with Pinkie Pie's motorized scooter. So, Emma is just throwing herself down in a variety of neigbors front yards and having a kicking screaming fit because she is hurt/ frustrated/ tired. But, then she wants to get up and keep trying - oh why does she have to be so determined? SO, on down the street we continue.
Then another problem arises. I start trying to stay a little closer to Emma, because I honestly thought I would lose my mind if I had to keep walking at Pinkie Pie's scooter pace. And when Emma and I are both ahead of Madeleine ~ she gets angry. So, she starts ringing her bell on her tricycle and yelling, "Hear that bell? That means stop!" Of course we both ignore her, which means more bell ringing and more yelling from the peanut gallery. Here is a picture of Emma skating and Madeleine hollering at us from behind.
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I did get many sympathetic looks from walkers who have clearly "been there done that", and I have a sneaky suspicion that they would not want to do it again. But not me, I know that these are the moments that I will remember and reflect back on and wish I had just one more hot night with my 5 year old, 6 year old, and Pinkie Pie on her motorized scooter...
Monday, September 20, 2010
My two new jobs
Well, it has been a very busy month for me, as I have started 2 new jobs! I just wanted to type up a post sharing what a blessing both of these jobs are, and how I can already see God's little gifts and goodness through the provision.
I really thought that I would be going back to the school district this year, and when I got no calls (or even returned phone calls) from HR - I just kept thinking, "any day now!"
Well, God had a VERY different plan for my year. And it was nothing that I ever could have dreamed up - that is when you KNOW you are in God's will - "immeasurably more!"
I teach 3 year old preschool on Monday, Wednesday, Friday (which allows me to keep my 80% discount on Madeleine's tuition - Praise the Lord!) and then I am an Associate to our Children's Minister, coordinating Sunday School for 2 and 3 year olds on Sunday's and throughout the rest of the week. So, if I start to sing "Jesus Loves You" and do the hand motions randomly while we are talking - you will know why. I live in 3 year old land these days...
Although it sounds like I am working so much more than last year (2 jobs) ~ it is actually so much more flexible and better for my family! Plus, it has almost doubled my salary! Is God good or what, ya'll?
I have already gotten to go up to Emma's school for the "Pastries with the Principal" - which I never go to do last year because I had to be in my classroom by 8:30 every day. I have had some wonderful afternoons with Madeleine because I leave my preschool class at 12:30 on Mon, Wed, Friday. I have been able to rejoin Bible Study on Thursday mornings, such a source of encouragement and growth, that I missed desperately last year. And I will get to start having lunch with Emma on Thursdays also - which I never got to do last year. On top of all of that, I have also been able to bless another precious family by picking up their daughter from her school a few days a week, so that the mother does not have to drag 2 babies through the car pool line during their nap time. And you know that God has been gracious to you, when He pours so much in your cup that it spills over onto another!!! After being given so much by so many, it is a delight to be able to do a little giving myself!
Plus, I love both of my jobs! I love my children and the parents, I love both of my bosses, I love my new teaching partner - and I love the gals I work with in the children's ministry. I love having Madeleine in our wonderful church preschool. She has my precious friend, Brandi, as her teacher and Madeleine is crazy about her, and having a wonderful year. I mean, God has BLESSED this situation!
I want to share with you the scripture that God gave me on my first day of my new jobs.
"The Lord will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deut. 16:15
Isn't that something? I felt like that verse was written just for me to read on that day! To be told by the Lord that He will bless all my harvest - my 3 year old harvest in my classroom, my 2 and 3 year old harvest of Sunday School children, and my little harvest here in my own home ~ and that He will bless all the work of my hands, is truly amazing. But in His goodness, He gives even more (abundantly more) and also promises that my joy will be complete. Well, it is complete. I have very busy days - and weariness by the end of the day - but I am so filled with thanksgiving and joy for the Lord.
He is faithful - and His plan is best! Thank you for continuing to pray for my family. Please be encouraged that Heaven hears those prayers, and He is answering them. I am indebted to you each.
I really thought that I would be going back to the school district this year, and when I got no calls (or even returned phone calls) from HR - I just kept thinking, "any day now!"
Well, God had a VERY different plan for my year. And it was nothing that I ever could have dreamed up - that is when you KNOW you are in God's will - "immeasurably more!"
I teach 3 year old preschool on Monday, Wednesday, Friday (which allows me to keep my 80% discount on Madeleine's tuition - Praise the Lord!) and then I am an Associate to our Children's Minister, coordinating Sunday School for 2 and 3 year olds on Sunday's and throughout the rest of the week. So, if I start to sing "Jesus Loves You" and do the hand motions randomly while we are talking - you will know why. I live in 3 year old land these days...
Although it sounds like I am working so much more than last year (2 jobs) ~ it is actually so much more flexible and better for my family! Plus, it has almost doubled my salary! Is God good or what, ya'll?
I have already gotten to go up to Emma's school for the "Pastries with the Principal" - which I never go to do last year because I had to be in my classroom by 8:30 every day. I have had some wonderful afternoons with Madeleine because I leave my preschool class at 12:30 on Mon, Wed, Friday. I have been able to rejoin Bible Study on Thursday mornings, such a source of encouragement and growth, that I missed desperately last year. And I will get to start having lunch with Emma on Thursdays also - which I never got to do last year. On top of all of that, I have also been able to bless another precious family by picking up their daughter from her school a few days a week, so that the mother does not have to drag 2 babies through the car pool line during their nap time. And you know that God has been gracious to you, when He pours so much in your cup that it spills over onto another!!! After being given so much by so many, it is a delight to be able to do a little giving myself!
Plus, I love both of my jobs! I love my children and the parents, I love both of my bosses, I love my new teaching partner - and I love the gals I work with in the children's ministry. I love having Madeleine in our wonderful church preschool. She has my precious friend, Brandi, as her teacher and Madeleine is crazy about her, and having a wonderful year. I mean, God has BLESSED this situation!
I want to share with you the scripture that God gave me on my first day of my new jobs.
"The Lord will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deut. 16:15
Isn't that something? I felt like that verse was written just for me to read on that day! To be told by the Lord that He will bless all my harvest - my 3 year old harvest in my classroom, my 2 and 3 year old harvest of Sunday School children, and my little harvest here in my own home ~ and that He will bless all the work of my hands, is truly amazing. But in His goodness, He gives even more (abundantly more) and also promises that my joy will be complete. Well, it is complete. I have very busy days - and weariness by the end of the day - but I am so filled with thanksgiving and joy for the Lord.
He is faithful - and His plan is best! Thank you for continuing to pray for my family. Please be encouraged that Heaven hears those prayers, and He is answering them. I am indebted to you each.
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