Mayo Clinic....January 29th and 30th.
Can't help but walk through and think about all these sick people being made well by the only Healer that could change their lives forever. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. At that time, He will also wipe every tear from their eyes and remove the diseases. There will be no need for wheelchairs, chemo drugs and doctors for that matter! Praise God!!! I can't wait until that day!

Good intentions

I had decided early on today that I was going to run errands instead of attend bible study this morning. I had a couple of stops to make and Isaac was in preschool...seemed like a great opportunity! Sophia is turning 7 tomorrow and we are planning to celebrate both her birthday and Joel's graduation from fireman's training on Sat. Honestly, I was not really in "party mode" and feeling more like having a "pity party" than celebrating. I was determined to find firemen's hats so that we could all be wearing one in honor of Joel. I was actually feeling a little encouraged after finding a verse that the Lord led me to today. Is. 43:1-3. Trusting that God was walking with me through this fire.
After purchasing the hats, I was feeling thrilled that I found what I was looking for. Troy and I have been diligent about saving all receipts this month and I was putting just that in my wallet when BAM!! I fell off a step (did NOT see that there) and twisted my ankle severly!!! I was standing there crying wondering how I would get out to my van to sit down. I cried out to God for help and made it there, where I continued to cry! I felt like a kid, but I am telling you, it really hurt!! Long story short, made it home, sister in law Martha came to the rescue...my knight in shining armor also came home to watch Isaac and after an hour and a half vist to the walk in clinic, I came home with an Ace bandage, an ankle support, and a PT appointment. Third degree sprain. Ouch.
lesson learned here? Nothing yet...stay tuned. Could potentially be a great devotional.

Christ is most magnified when...

Christ is most magnified in us when we are most satisfied in Him when we lose everything but Him.


Christ is magnified by being preferred above everything that life can offer. His grace is sufficient for me. (Phillipians 1: 20-21)


I want Christ to look good in my life...

Suffering is Essential

The last few weeks have been a blur. I went from enjoying some sweet rest and relaxation with my husband in Nashville to learning that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. From there it only got more interesting as I quickly headed off to be with my parents in Mitchell, only to end up in the ditch after a slippery slide down the interstate. Through the kindness and thoughtfulness of relatives, we were cared for so tenderly as we waited to get to our final destination. I can't even begin to express my gratitude over the way God provided for us in this bad situation.
We finally made it to Mitchell on Dec. 22nd and celebrated Christmas. It was a special time together with mom, dad, Joel and all our family. Knowing that we were about to embark on a very scary journey into cancer, it made the time together very precious. For awhile, we didn't have to face the facts, but only cherish each other and live in the present.
Through it all, I caught of glimpse of what God was doing in each of our lives... in my mom, He was giving peace that passes all understanding...in my brother, He was raising up a true spiritual leader...in my dad, my hero, the armor was beginning to crack. Most all, we got real and focused on what matters most. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our relationships with one another. Why does it take a tragedy for us to tell the people we love just how very much they mean to us and how very much we love and treasure them?? I could never convey to my mom or to my dad how much they have impacted my life and how grateful I am that the Lord chose them for me. They are the best parents EVER and I love them more than I could ever tell them. When you love deeply, you feel pain deeply. My heart hurts...
We left Mitchell with the realization that surgery was just around the corner...Dec. 31st. I would come back alone and stay with my mom and dad as long as they needed me. Troy was going to hold down the house and play Mr Mom. We also had supports in place to give rides, take care of Isaac and provide a few meals along the way. God was faithful and good to all of them during this time. He also met us in a hospital room in Mitchell and provided us with a sweet time of laughter and tears. I saw the hands and feet of the body of Christ and felt His love through countless hugs and many meals. My mom was amazing and I was so proud to be her daughter and be there to encourage and support her. Again, there were moments that I was sure my heart would literally break in two and I could barely catch my breathe, but ultimately, the Lord's grace was sufficient for all of us.
What have I learned so far? Not to race ahead of today...I must live in the present. He daily bears our burdens. I don't have the grace for tomorrow yet.
I need to live and breathe God's Word. There is nothing else that will bring me peace or hope.
I will spend the rest of this life telling my mom how special, how wonderful, how amazing she is and just how much I love her.

a new job

So last night, as I am getting Sophia and Hannah settled into bed, Sophia proceeds to ask me if I want a new job. I tell her "No, I don't. Why do you ask?" She then goes on to tell me that she was writing about Christmas in her journal and had to write what her mom wanted for Christmas. Sophia says that she writes that her mom wants a new job and no kids. I about died!! What would make you think that I ask??!! She basically tries to explain that obviously this motherhood job is hard and that I am crabby most of the time. Hannah concurs and says yes, "in her world", I am crabby at them most of the time!!! Wham, Wham. Major blows to my heart! As I pray with them, I ask for forgiveness and for the Lord to make me into a more loving, gently mommy. Do they really see me as getting after them all the time? Is that how they will remember their childhood?! Oh, that I would leave them a legacy worth far more than this!
The silver lining of the last 24 hours was this...my oldest daughter tells me tonight that she has befriended a girl struggling with life. A girl who looks different and acts much different than her and for whatever reason, she trusts McKenzie and shares some tough stuff with her. (ie her desire to drink alcohol) McKenzie goes on to describe how this girl asks what kind of music she listens to and McKenzie tells me how she hasn't felt the courage to say she listens to Christian music when most friends ask her music preference. However, on this occasion, with this girl, she tells her and says that God gave her such peace about telling her! She also tells me about how she prayed for this girl very specifically last week and God answered her and affirmed what she prayed for over this girls life!!! WOW! She really gets it! What a moment! To realize that your child knows and believes that God hears and answers prayer and the He truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am praying that McKenzie would have a boldness to share Christ with this girl and see that transforming power in her life! Also, tonight, Hannah prayed in such a beautiful way that I was moved beyond words. I am humbled and amazed at how God has worked in their lives. The sweetest thing on earth is seeing them really "get it" and truly trust Him with their lives. I often think, I can take no credit for the positive results just as I won't take credit for the negative results. Only God can do that! I am completely grateful and filled to overflowing with thanks. I do not want to resign from this job. Ever.

December 8, 2007

I feel as though I have officially kicked off the holiday season with a nice Christmas brunch, gift exchange, and yummy treats. Following this nice relaxing time, we entered the retail world where we had to stand in lines and fight off shoppers for that sale priced item on everyone's list. We called it quits after a short time and decided that shopping in the middle of the week sounded like a much better plan. Tonight, we will watch "How the Grich stole Christmas" to really grasp the reason for the season. hahaha...