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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Missing!
Well, it's been over two weeks now...Miracle's puppy blanket is missing.This puppy blanket was like no other...this is probably the best picture we have of it...it was a blanket with a puppy head and a puppy tail and legs.
She got it for a gift when she was born. She grew attached to it like nothing else when she was about 1 year old and if you knew Miracle at all you probably saw this special puppy blanket attached to her.
My mother's heart has been pierced a few times lately at bedtime as Miracle and I have been praying and she quietly chimes in with a sadness to her voice and says, "and pray that Jesus finds my puppy". I'm pretty sure that the puppy blanket was thrown away when Miracle and daddy took out the garbages...
The one thing that I will probably always regret about this situation is the fact that I never completely rummaged through the garbage to be sure it wasn't in there...so it goes on missing and we are sad.
Here a few more pictures of Miracle and her puppy blanket.
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| It was with her when she played... |
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| It was with her when she was hospitalized... |
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| It went with her to daycare for naptime... |
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| She brought it in the car... |
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| She used it to hide... |
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| It was with her when she slept with her mom and dad... |
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| She brought it to Church... So, I've been feeling materialist. How could I be so sad over a blanket? I'm sad because I wanted her to have her puppy blanket forever, just like I have my baby blanket ... But when I continue to think about it, I'm most bothered because Miracle had security in her puppy blanket and there was only one puppy blanket like this...it cannot be replaced with a new one... Really when I reflect on the pictures of what this puppy blanket was to her, I realized that Jesus can be all that her puppy blanket was to her and more. I may not be able to give her back her puppy blanket, but I can teach her about Jesus and live my life as an example of how Jesus changes my life and the lives of others. If there is anything that she carries with her forever, I hope and pray that it is Jesus Christ her Savior and Lord. Jesus Christ ... he walks with me and talks with me and He tells me I am his own. Truly. He is my security. The best of all is that Jesus can't go missing. I know I can't physically hold Jesus like Miracle held and carried her puppy but Jesus does hold me and my life and fills me with a security of peace that passes understanding, and an ecstatic joy that wells up inside of me. So what is it that you are holding on to that is replacing Jesus Christ in your life? That was the question that came into my head when I literally was talking to the Lord about how dramatic and ridiculous I felt about the deep sadness over this missing puppy blanket. Oh how I just love how Almighty God can use all things for the good of those who love Him. So the Lord is reminding me more about who He is and wants to become in my life. So, it led me to study once again who Jesus is and can be in my life. So here's the start of the list... JESUS IS *The Son of Man *Bread of Life *Light of the World *Hiding Place *The resurrection and the life *The way, the truth, and the life *The vine *The Alpha & Omega *Lord God *The Almighty *The First and the Last *Creator *Faithful & True *The King of Kings *The Lord of Lords AND THE BEST NAME AND DESCRIPTION FOR JESUS TO REPLACE MIRACLE'S PUPPY BLANKET ....drum roll please.... JESUS IS *THE LION AND THE LAMB Revalation 5:5-6,9,12-13 (paraphrase mine) "Do not weep! See, the Lion has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll...victory in the battle of this life is His. He wins every spiritual battle, every attack that the enemy will pursue upon our earthly lives. 6 Then I saw the Lamb, looking as if he had been slain, standing at the center of the throne...yes, he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and he did not go missing...He's alive and worthy. 9 So we sing a new song: "You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God. 12 In a loud voice we will sing: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and priase!" 13 Then every creature in heaven and on earth will be singing: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! AMEN. And that, my friends is so much greater than any puppy blanket could be. That is security eternally! |
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Being Refined with a Detangler Spray Still Hurts
In all honesty, this earthly life hasn't been what I expected it to be. Marriage hasn't been what my mind had perceived. And parenting is not what I thought it to be...And Almighty God hasn't been what I imagined Him to be in my life...No, He is becoming so much more.
More of a neccessity in this life
More real
Just more than I thought I deserved
And each day, He is becoming more of my ONLY HOPE
More because I do not know and cannot understand
He is my ROCK and REFUGE
He provides me Words to Live By
AND most of all lately, as Deuteronomy 4:24 says, "For the Lord my God is a CONSUMING FIRE, a jealous God."
I guess it might be true to say that to many looking in, life for me almost resembles the American dream (a good looking faithful husband, one girl, one boy, a 4-bedroom house, 2 cars, and 2 jobs). But what I am realizing is that Pete and I are not wanting the American dream. We are wanting God's dream for our life and He is a jealous God so if God doesn't have all of me then the fire might just get hotter. If you weren't on the outside looking in, you really wouldn't see the American dream in motion. We have our vast array of problems, fiery trials, and rocky ways that cause much disarray. But don't we all? I'm sure you can list the negative fire in your life right now. I've heard so many different people talk about depression, job loss / unemployment, illness, anxiety, worry, stress from parenting, marriage, financial insecurity...I have been through many on the list, if not still walking through them. Yet, Almighty God is more and I am clinging to Him. He promises: "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord you God." (Isaiah 43:2b)
My mentor recently painted a picture in my head about being refined, and walking through the fire. She said that the fire is never too hot for God and He never takes His hand off of you.Why? Because God is more. Because God is and can be my consuming fire and I'm relying on Him to consume the human fires that have started and seem to be becoming so ablazed that I'm not sure I will walk out unharmed and unbound. Some of the fires of life, I fear I brought myself into, and some of the fires I know I was thrown into with no fault of my own. As I was thinking about this I had to recall the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar is furious with three God-serving men and he orders the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and throws them in, it goes on to say in verse 24 "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his adviers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? The replied, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here! So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Isn't that amazing? God doesn't leave us in the fire alone. He has sent His son, Jesus, who never leaves us or forsakes us if we call on Him in a personal way. He withstands the heat for us and provides the healing touch before we even know we were or could have been burned. His divine power has give us everything we need for this life and for godliness.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
But God wants more from me these days than just belief, He is wanting to be the CONSUMING FIRE in my life to burn my desires and refine me as pure gold. This is painful!
In the life of my almost 3 year old daughter, refinement might be like combing her hair. She rarely lets me comb her hair and it is very long and beautiful. As I comb it though, I do use detangler to ease the pain but sometimes it is so knotted and ratted together I have to keep "gently" combing until I get the knots out. She cries and screams in agony, but I just keep combing because I know that soon the pain will be over and her hair will be knot-free, silky and free flowing. Oh it's such a plight analogy yet I know that God does the same with me in my life. He sees the knots in my life and is holding on to me with the detangler spray in His hand just working to refine my life to make it smoother and more beautiful as he created me to be. God's word speaks of this refinement:
Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore this is the the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?"
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth then gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I am realizing that in order to be God's daughter, the wife that Pete needs, the mommy that Miracle and Matthias need, and the person in all my other relationships that I need to be, I need so much more of God. I can't live with my ideas, my pride, my selfishness, my disappointment and frustration of how life is. So God says he will refine me - he will wash away my impurities so that he can more clearly see His reflection in me and he just might try to ease the pain a lil' by using some detangler spray! After all we were created in His image so I pray that we start to look more like Him.
So Lord God Almighty, I pray that you would refine me. I'll never be ready for the hot hot heat it takes to refine me and scrape off the dross and impurities but I am asking for you to continue your work because you are with me and you can become the greater consuming fire in my life. I'm hopeless without you in the midst of the problems of this life. Please forgive me of my own attempts at life. Will you burn away my desire and refine me so that the faith that you have so graciously filled my heart, soul, and mind with will be genuine and result in praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ my Savior.
Amen and Amen
More of a neccessity in this life
More real
Just more than I thought I deserved
And each day, He is becoming more of my ONLY HOPE
More because I do not know and cannot understand
He is my ROCK and REFUGE
He provides me Words to Live By
AND most of all lately, as Deuteronomy 4:24 says, "For the Lord my God is a CONSUMING FIRE, a jealous God."
I guess it might be true to say that to many looking in, life for me almost resembles the American dream (a good looking faithful husband, one girl, one boy, a 4-bedroom house, 2 cars, and 2 jobs). But what I am realizing is that Pete and I are not wanting the American dream. We are wanting God's dream for our life and He is a jealous God so if God doesn't have all of me then the fire might just get hotter. If you weren't on the outside looking in, you really wouldn't see the American dream in motion. We have our vast array of problems, fiery trials, and rocky ways that cause much disarray. But don't we all? I'm sure you can list the negative fire in your life right now. I've heard so many different people talk about depression, job loss / unemployment, illness, anxiety, worry, stress from parenting, marriage, financial insecurity...I have been through many on the list, if not still walking through them. Yet, Almighty God is more and I am clinging to Him. He promises: "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord you God." (Isaiah 43:2b)
My mentor recently painted a picture in my head about being refined, and walking through the fire. She said that the fire is never too hot for God and He never takes His hand off of you.Why? Because God is more. Because God is and can be my consuming fire and I'm relying on Him to consume the human fires that have started and seem to be becoming so ablazed that I'm not sure I will walk out unharmed and unbound. Some of the fires of life, I fear I brought myself into, and some of the fires I know I was thrown into with no fault of my own. As I was thinking about this I had to recall the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar is furious with three God-serving men and he orders the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and throws them in, it goes on to say in verse 24 "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his adviers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? The replied, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here! So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Isn't that amazing? God doesn't leave us in the fire alone. He has sent His son, Jesus, who never leaves us or forsakes us if we call on Him in a personal way. He withstands the heat for us and provides the healing touch before we even know we were or could have been burned. His divine power has give us everything we need for this life and for godliness.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
But God wants more from me these days than just belief, He is wanting to be the CONSUMING FIRE in my life to burn my desires and refine me as pure gold. This is painful!
In the life of my almost 3 year old daughter, refinement might be like combing her hair. She rarely lets me comb her hair and it is very long and beautiful. As I comb it though, I do use detangler to ease the pain but sometimes it is so knotted and ratted together I have to keep "gently" combing until I get the knots out. She cries and screams in agony, but I just keep combing because I know that soon the pain will be over and her hair will be knot-free, silky and free flowing. Oh it's such a plight analogy yet I know that God does the same with me in my life. He sees the knots in my life and is holding on to me with the detangler spray in His hand just working to refine my life to make it smoother and more beautiful as he created me to be. God's word speaks of this refinement:
Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore this is the the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?"
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth then gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I am realizing that in order to be God's daughter, the wife that Pete needs, the mommy that Miracle and Matthias need, and the person in all my other relationships that I need to be, I need so much more of God. I can't live with my ideas, my pride, my selfishness, my disappointment and frustration of how life is. So God says he will refine me - he will wash away my impurities so that he can more clearly see His reflection in me and he just might try to ease the pain a lil' by using some detangler spray! After all we were created in His image so I pray that we start to look more like Him.
So Lord God Almighty, I pray that you would refine me. I'll never be ready for the hot hot heat it takes to refine me and scrape off the dross and impurities but I am asking for you to continue your work because you are with me and you can become the greater consuming fire in my life. I'm hopeless without you in the midst of the problems of this life. Please forgive me of my own attempts at life. Will you burn away my desire and refine me so that the faith that you have so graciously filled my heart, soul, and mind with will be genuine and result in praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ my Savior.
Amen and Amen
Thursday, September 30, 2010
It's almost over...but yet beginning!
Well, it's 9:46 on September 30, 2010. I haven't been faithful at blogging this month but there have been an abundance of changes, blessings, and evidence of God breathing all over me throughout the month of September and I couldn't let the night pass without jotting some of them down to remember what God has been doing.
Pete took my breath away...and swept me off my feet on a romantic getaway overnight at the beginning of September. He planned it all without my help or input and it was priceless, a dream, peaceful, and refreshing. We enjoyed some much needed time without the kids. It was only about 28 hours total but it seemed perfect to recharge, fall more in love, and desire to parent once again. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate what God had joined together 5 years ago on September 10, 2005. Pete slipped a ring on my finger and I slipped a ring on Pete's finger with Psalm 34:3 engraved on the inside of his ring. With our marriage life verse, "Glorify the Lord with me, Let us Exalt His name together" we started our journey with the Lord at the center as husband and wife. This romantic getaway was by far the best date we have had. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the waterfall in the small town of Osceola, WI where we stayed, took pictures, had quiet time, watched football, ate laffy taffy, had breakfast "in bed", went out to eat, and did some hiking through the pothole trails in Taylors falls.
We praised God for the first 5 years together, realizing the storms that we have already weathered together are creating a foundation that can never be moved. I have new eyes for Pete than I did at the alter. I see a man that is humble enough to kneel and surrender to an Almighty God and admit his lack of..., a husband with a huge heart abounding with love for me (his wife) but just doesn't know how to show it or say it sometimes, a father with arms so strong he can carry his little girl, his little boy and his wife all at the same time, and a coach that desires boys to become men of integrity, hardwork, and passion to fight the good fight and win, but more so I see a son of God who just longs to be respected, loved, needed, and called...oh how our life together is just beginning and we are just praying that God will be glorified in the weaknesses of two selfish lovers. The weekend is over...but yet we are just beginning...
To power of prayer took me to a new level of freedom in the month of September...and the old has gone in a deeper still way yet again and the new has come...in some stressed areas in my life! Praise God for that!
On a lighter note...
The diapers are over...for Miracle as of September 7th, 2010. She woke up in the morning and suprised me (it was as if she had planned this day all along) and said, "I'm wearing underwear today, I'm a big girl." And she has had maybe 4 accidents since. Pull-ups are worn at night but she has woken up a few nights and used the bathroom herself already. After one night of waking up to a crying Miracle in the bathroom with the lights on... She was crying because she had gone potty but couldn't reach the faucet to wash her hands... so we made our way to Menards and bought a step stool. Problem solved. So it's just the beginning of Miracle's life as a princess with her Cinderella underwear, jeans, belt, and a tshirt. She never liked to wear jeans either but now that's all she wants to wear.
On September 19th, we dedicated Matthias to the Lord publicly in front of our church family. Proclaiming and praying once again his life verse Isaiah 11:2 "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." We were blessed to have such dear friends and family (The Brekers, Jamiesons, Larsons, Jensens, and Westers) join us that day at the church service. You can see pictures of this day but clicking on my picture link on the side.
So the deep and shallow breaths continue. September is over but our 6th year of life as the Peter Jensen family is just beginning and I am just waiting to see what God has in store. I am just beginning the fall women's bible study at our church. We are studying about positioning and preparing ourselves to allow God to speak to each of us. The verses so far that are changing me are found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 where it talks about the Lord's Blessings for Obedience. As I read those verses two key phrases kept jumping out at me, as if God was speaking to me, "The Lord your God will..." and "You will be blessed..." So I am claiming it...desiring faith and obedience of an infant child to allow God to work.
So whatever it is in life that seems over...but yet just beginning...if it seems hard, impossible, or great...breathe in God's truth. My prayer for my own life situations and circumstances is that I would be in a simple relationship with the Lord God and continually let Him speak to me saying, "I, The Lord your God will....will provide...will heal...will calm your anxious heart..will lead...and You will be blessed... and you and Pete will glorify Me, the Lord your God, together and I will be exalted!"
And that has been some good breathin'!
Amen! and GoodNight!
Pete took my breath away...and swept me off my feet on a romantic getaway overnight at the beginning of September. He planned it all without my help or input and it was priceless, a dream, peaceful, and refreshing. We enjoyed some much needed time without the kids. It was only about 28 hours total but it seemed perfect to recharge, fall more in love, and desire to parent once again. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate what God had joined together 5 years ago on September 10, 2005. Pete slipped a ring on my finger and I slipped a ring on Pete's finger with Psalm 34:3 engraved on the inside of his ring. With our marriage life verse, "Glorify the Lord with me, Let us Exalt His name together" we started our journey with the Lord at the center as husband and wife. This romantic getaway was by far the best date we have had. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the waterfall in the small town of Osceola, WI where we stayed, took pictures, had quiet time, watched football, ate laffy taffy, had breakfast "in bed", went out to eat, and did some hiking through the pothole trails in Taylors falls.
To power of prayer took me to a new level of freedom in the month of September...and the old has gone in a deeper still way yet again and the new has come...in some stressed areas in my life! Praise God for that!
On a lighter note...
The diapers are over...for Miracle as of September 7th, 2010. She woke up in the morning and suprised me (it was as if she had planned this day all along) and said, "I'm wearing underwear today, I'm a big girl." And she has had maybe 4 accidents since. Pull-ups are worn at night but she has woken up a few nights and used the bathroom herself already. After one night of waking up to a crying Miracle in the bathroom with the lights on... She was crying because she had gone potty but couldn't reach the faucet to wash her hands... so we made our way to Menards and bought a step stool. Problem solved. So it's just the beginning of Miracle's life as a princess with her Cinderella underwear, jeans, belt, and a tshirt. She never liked to wear jeans either but now that's all she wants to wear.
On September 19th, we dedicated Matthias to the Lord publicly in front of our church family. Proclaiming and praying once again his life verse Isaiah 11:2 "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." We were blessed to have such dear friends and family (The Brekers, Jamiesons, Larsons, Jensens, and Westers) join us that day at the church service. You can see pictures of this day but clicking on my picture link on the side.
So the deep and shallow breaths continue. September is over but our 6th year of life as the Peter Jensen family is just beginning and I am just waiting to see what God has in store. I am just beginning the fall women's bible study at our church. We are studying about positioning and preparing ourselves to allow God to speak to each of us. The verses so far that are changing me are found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 where it talks about the Lord's Blessings for Obedience. As I read those verses two key phrases kept jumping out at me, as if God was speaking to me, "The Lord your God will..." and "You will be blessed..." So I am claiming it...desiring faith and obedience of an infant child to allow God to work.
So whatever it is in life that seems over...but yet just beginning...if it seems hard, impossible, or great...breathe in God's truth. My prayer for my own life situations and circumstances is that I would be in a simple relationship with the Lord God and continually let Him speak to me saying, "I, The Lord your God will....will provide...will heal...will calm your anxious heart..will lead...and You will be blessed... and you and Pete will glorify Me, the Lord your God, together and I will be exalted!"
And that has been some good breathin'!
Amen! and GoodNight!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Crazy Drivers!
We had a fun day in the sun today!
So what do you think - which kiddo looks like the 'natural' behind the wheel?
(and no these were not planned or staged poses...)
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| ...I was supposed to be taking a picture of the chalk she was hauling... |
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| ...reminds me of Grandpa Jerry drivin' the tractor... |
Matthias is such a boy - seems like he is already man enough to handle driving a pink and purple car too. I guess that's what happens when he has a older sister. He's soon to graduate to a pink carseat too - so if anyone knows of anybody who might have a boy cover for a graco comfortsport 2008 carseat please let me know...
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
In Just One Year
Happy 1st Birthday Matthias!
It is amazing what God has accomplished in your life in just one year...
At just one day old you looked like this:
At 2 weeks you were healthy & happy:
At 1 month you were sick & on the ventilator:
Your caringbridge site had 3,381 visitors and 346 registered visitors. The prayer support and love was beyond words...
At 6 months you were still waking up 2-3 times a night but happy & healthy and mommy was tired:
AND TODAY...
You are a 1 year old, walkin, jabberin, lil' rascal with 6 teeth, who sleeps 10-11hours a night, likes dancin to music, but loves to play catch and kick balls the best...no one would ever guess you were ever a really sick lil' baby on a ventilator and no one but God knows whatever caused it all to happen.
Dear Matthias -
Wow! You are already 1 year old! You are such a miracle and a blessing to me. Thank you Lord God for my lil' boy, my first born son.
I love how you smile with you nose scrunched and your 6 lil' teeth that I can see, each one a different height.
I melt every time I hold you in my arms and I love how you love to cuddle into me and put your lil' pillow-top hands and arms around my neck.
I love how you already put your hands together when we pray before meals.
Your lil' cry and face when you cry can break my heart in a matter of seconds...
Your daddy and I have chosen two life verses for you that have been repeated several times as prayers for your life and the journey God has had us on as your parents in the past year:
Isaiah 11:2 "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - The Spirit of wisdom and of understading, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
Psalm 71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."
I hope and pray, more than anything in this world that you will one day come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and cling to Him and His Word more than anything this life offers you. pray that you will personalize these verses to your life circumstances whatever they may be at every age and stage. The Lord God formed you for great and mighty things and he has already used your precious life for eternity.
Just as I say every night as I put you to bed: "Mommy loves you, daddy loves you, and Jesus loves you so much!"
Matthias, we belong to Jesus - I pray that we will all live our lives in reality of this freeing truth!
I love you,
Mommy
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Do You Ever See Rainbows?
This is the first rainbow that Miracle has ever seen in her life.
I love rainbows. They are such a perfect picture that God promises and fulfills...
"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:16
It was such a fun teachable moment. I had just put Miracle to bed and had said all my threats about why she better not talk or get out of bed and covered her with prayers and hugs and kisses and then I saw the rainbow out the window. I just had to get her up. We put on our flip flops and quickly went outside.
"Miracle look at the rainbow!"
"Wow, who made that rainbow?"
"God made the rainbow to remind us of His promise."
There was more to our conversation. Of course at bedtime, conversations are never quick if you are a 2 1/2 year old trying to stay up as late as possible.
Anyway, we were both in awe of the rainbow. Miracle wanted to walk on it. And I just stood in awe of the Majestic Creator...truly I love tangible signs of God's love and faithfulness to me. So the next night as I tucked Miracle into bed I asked her before we prayed what God had given her? And her answer was "a rainbow!"
I was reading in John chapter 20 today for quiet time. The context: Jesus has died on the cross and was still proving to His very own through personal appearances that He was risen and was still wth them in Spirit and Truth.
So today Jesus gave me this personal word which is so appropriate given the title of my blog:
"And He (Jesus) breathed on them and said,"Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:22
I am so thankful that Christ breathed on me the gift of life and more than that he breathed on me a wonderful counselor to guide me and show me God's personal rainbows in my life.
To see a rainbow, you have to be there right after the rain because God doesn't keep it in the sky very long. So often he is giving me reminders of His love, power, and promises but if I'm not waiting and watching I miss many breath-taking reminders...It is my prayer that I see more of these personal rainbows.
What do these personal rainbows look like?
- an inner peace when all circumstances point to chaos and confusion
- it is a text from my husband at just the right moment
- the reminder to pray for someone and then to find out from that someone what God did
- when both kids sleep through the night completely :)
- when my quiet time is almost non-existent but one verse flies off the page of my bible and changes my perspective
- a financial blessing
Just like an actual rainbow all of these things are only tangible for a short while but they are forever reminders in my heart and mind.... Yet God knew that wouldn't be enough for me so he continues to send more rainbows to take my breath away and breathe more life into my soul.
The last verses of quiet time in John 20 were about Thomas and how he needed to see for himself:
"So the disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."...Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
So it was with the rainbow...It wouldn't have been enough to just tell my lil' girl about how it looked, she had to see it with her own eyes and now she knows that God has given it to her!
I'm so thankful that God doesn't tire of reminding us of His everlasting covenant with his beloved people!
Look for the rainbows...but remember they usually come after the disastrous storm or downpouring rain where the ability to see is very poor and you can't see your way out.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Life keeps moving right along...
Even when my blogging world has been standing still since May...
Some things from the summer to catch you up -
Some things from the summer to catch you up -
- It took 9hours 40minutes with three stops to drive from my parents farm at Butte, ND back home to Minnesota after a fun relaxing (not really restful with 2 lil' kids but...) time down on the farm with my awesome parents.
- It took 2hours 19minutes with no stops to drive from Pete's parents home in Kerkhoven, MN back home after a great weekend of good food, a double date with Pete's sister and husband ( Nana and Papa babysat the kiddos and we floated home in the car on the way back to Pete's parents in the midst of a severe thunderstorm...I was holding Pete's sister's hand in the back of the car and praying out loud, literally! It was scary.),
- Potty training is not for Miracle. She can hold her pee all day if she has underwear on or she will choose not to drink...she's smart and stubborn.
- Matthias now has 5 teeth - 2 on the bottom, 3 on the top but is still missing one of the top front teeth. He is taking his first steps walking and still loves pacifiers and I am addicted to breastfeeding (well not really but still going strong).
- Pete went on a weekend camping trip in July and his manliness and protector role was majorly missed and desired as the kids and I camped out in the cubby under the steps after the 3rd siren went off due to tornado touch downs.
- We enjoy going swimming (or maybe I should call it wading in the shallow waters with some splashing) at the gym as a family.
- We have brought out the lawn chairs and the stroller and pulled up to the curb to enjoy two parades and a marching band contest (Miracle's favorite by far) around the metro area.
- I depend more on the power of prayer than I ever have in my life.
- I miss writing and have high hopes of typing some quick blogs more often in the months to come...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Clueless?
What do you think about when you have no idea why you are where you are?
I love how God uses my children even at there young ages of 9mo and 2 1/2yrs to teach me His ways and His will for life.
Last weekend we went to Duluth to visit some dear friends of ours. On Sunday, we went to church with our friends. Miracle went to the 2yr old Sunday School class. Pete and I were sitting in church enjoying the worship as we noticed the children walking up the aisle to sing for the congregation, we saw Miracle. This was totally unexpected. None of us knew about it. Miracle didn't know about it. She had NO CLUE. So of course being only 2, she was put smack dab in the middle in the front row. We watched her stand there (she is the one with the flower dress in between the two boys with the clueless look on her face). I was doing everything I could to keep myself from laughing out loud. It was hilarious to me. It really was amazing to watch her though. She might have not looked happy but she didn't have a fit. She actually tried to sing the songs at one time and the rest of the time she just kept her 2yr old composure. And then it ended and the teacher grabbed her hand and led her back to Sunday School with the other kids.
I said, "What did you think, Miracle?"
Miracle responded with chuckle (honestly, she did), "I was thinking about Jesus."
Pretty amazing.
I know.
I know that God has a lesson for me in all of this.
Life for the Jensen's in past year hasn't been easy compared to the other times that we have experienced in our life so far. It's full of unknowns.
Daily I am thinking, "I have no clue what is going on God; but you know Lord."
But the truth of the matter is I know one thing that is going on...people are lost and hurting and looking for the one and only Savior Jesus Christ. He is one of our only clues that heaven is being prepared for us who believe and this world is not our home. I know that Jesus fills my heart and mind and soul with hope that does not disappoint.
So Miracle told me! What should I be doing when I find myself in a place that I have no clue how, why, what I am doing at this minute? I should be thinking about Jesus.
Here are some of the truths God has given me to claim this past week:
Psalm 16:5 Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed;, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweights them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
So take it from the faith of a child...in a clueless situation?...think about Jesus!
Friday, April 9, 2010
My favorite ‘Gift of God’
His name really means gift of God and again the Lord has proven to us that His ways are perfect by naming Matthias perfectly according to his destiny as God’s very own child.
Well, I started reading Genesis lately for a quiet time and I was stopped in my tracks as I read Genesis 2:7 “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
It brought me back to praising God for Matthias.
The pictures in my mind of the moments before Matthias went on the ventilator as his little nostrils and chest cavity became still without breath flowing through them…I just compiled my CaringBridge site pages into a book as a faith reminder. As I reflect on the pages of support and the many prayer warriors, it is obvious that God gave and took away and that He breathed into Matthias’ nostrils the breath of life once again.
I still don’t have the answer to all of my ‘why’ questions.
I still whisper a prayer in Matthias’ ear each night as I lay him down, “God please help Matthias to breathe throughout the night as he sleeps and keep him healthy and safe."
I cherish the sovereignty of God even more.
But, yet still the human fear and deep love for Matthias have me checking on Matthias several times a night as I quietly lean over into the crib and hold my hand beneath his nostrils to feel the movement of breathing…and stand back up thanking God for doing what he says He does.
I am so thankful for the Gift of my baby boy!
Oh my Matthias…my 8 month old, first born son, who smiles the minute he sees me in the morning, who sits up and plays with his toys, tries to chew and eat every tag that he can find on every toy or stuffed animal, will always choose the sweeter foods like bananas and apples over green beans or peas, has a left eye that produces goop, likes to suck on his toes when I take his clothes off, weighs as much (or maybe more) than his two 16 month old cousins, loves to watch his sister and laughs at her often, he likes to be tickled, a mommy’s boy, but loves adventures with daddy as he throws him in the air and other daring things that make a young momma’s heart skip a beat, who still likes to wake up at 11am and 3am to ‘eat’ and be with mommy, likes to sleep with his blanket touching his face, and doesn’t always liked to be held or cuddled (when he wants to sleep, he wants to be lying down), he’s starting to jabber and has figured out how to say mama and da dddd, he loves a book about barnyard friends, and enjoys taking baths with Miracle…Oh I could go on…
I just love my lil’ boy!
I thank you that you have already used Matthias to further your Kingdom and I pray Lord that you would continue to use the breath you give Matthias to extend the breath of life to others in this world; that he would be a witness to the resurrection of Christ and the personal relationship that you offer.
Thank you God, for this gift!
Friday, April 2, 2010
It's a Miracle!
I couldn't believe it.
Miracle woke up this morning, walked in the bathroom and asked for a ponytail in her hair. This is truly a miracle because I usually have to chase her around the house with the detangler spray and the comb and usually never come close to getting her hair combed. I just hope that the detangler will magically do the job.
Why suddenly is she asking me to do her hair? I have been waiting for this day to come.
Maybe it was that new princess shirt that I gave her yesterday. Of course she wore it to bed and to daycare today. When I asked her if she liked her princess shirt, her eyes got big and sparkly and she smiled so big...I don't if remember if she said a word. Her expression was enough to deafen my ears and just marvel at how happy and joyful she looked.
So today is GOOD FRIDAY in more ways than one. Another day that I have been waiting for.
I have been reading Luke chapters 19 - 24 this HOLY week. I am amazed at the POWER and DIVINE NATURE of God.
I am challenged to let myself go to the cross and see JESUS crucified. If I am honest, I really don't want to think about the blood and horror; His expressions of pain...yet He spoke words of love as ""He called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."" (Luke 23:46)Jesus' expression is definitely not one to deafen my ears, for it is crucial that I hear the cry of Jesus. Why? Because it speaks hope and truth. The very reason today is GOOD FRIDAY.
Jesus will not stay dead!
He has given His Spirit into the very hands of Almighty God and no one can stop HIM from working the greatest MIRACLE of all.
Sunday is coming and the stone will be rolled away. As Miracle has been saying, "JESUS IS ALIVE!"
So as the saying goes, "It's a Miracle!"
Yes, Miracle is a princess (a true princess with her hair done and all) because the stone will soon be rolled away and there He will be...RISEN FROM THE DEAD 'seated at the right hand of the mighty God' (Luke 22:69).
Who is this King of Glory?
He is our KING OF KINGS.
Sunday's comin' - hold on to hope for your Miracle!
Miracle woke up this morning, walked in the bathroom and asked for a ponytail in her hair. This is truly a miracle because I usually have to chase her around the house with the detangler spray and the comb and usually never come close to getting her hair combed. I just hope that the detangler will magically do the job.
Why suddenly is she asking me to do her hair? I have been waiting for this day to come.
Maybe it was that new princess shirt that I gave her yesterday. Of course she wore it to bed and to daycare today. When I asked her if she liked her princess shirt, her eyes got big and sparkly and she smiled so big...I don't if remember if she said a word. Her expression was enough to deafen my ears and just marvel at how happy and joyful she looked.
So today is GOOD FRIDAY in more ways than one. Another day that I have been waiting for.
I have been reading Luke chapters 19 - 24 this HOLY week. I am amazed at the POWER and DIVINE NATURE of God.
I am challenged to let myself go to the cross and see JESUS crucified. If I am honest, I really don't want to think about the blood and horror; His expressions of pain...yet He spoke words of love as ""He called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."" (Luke 23:46)Jesus' expression is definitely not one to deafen my ears, for it is crucial that I hear the cry of Jesus. Why? Because it speaks hope and truth. The very reason today is GOOD FRIDAY.
Jesus will not stay dead!
He has given His Spirit into the very hands of Almighty God and no one can stop HIM from working the greatest MIRACLE of all.
Sunday is coming and the stone will be rolled away. As Miracle has been saying, "JESUS IS ALIVE!"
So as the saying goes, "It's a Miracle!"
Yes, Miracle is a princess (a true princess with her hair done and all) because the stone will soon be rolled away and there He will be...RISEN FROM THE DEAD 'seated at the right hand of the mighty God' (Luke 22:69).
Who is this King of Glory?
He is our KING OF KINGS.
Sunday's comin' - hold on to hope for your Miracle!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What Next! …. Can I Place My Resignation?
I cannot resist.
I must document this morning or I may be distracted all day.
The morning started early this morning.
Pete left at 5:30am and right before he left, Miracle started crying and somehow ‘magically’ landed in bed with me.
So…
Daddy is gone to enjoy a nice quiet workout and get to work on time (I admit my jealousy).
Mommy is suddenly lying in between the 2yr old (who thinks it is morning and wants to get up) and the 7month old (who can’t figure out why his sister is talking and the lights are shining in the room and now wants to eat because he is by mommy).
My alarm was set for 5:45am with high hopes to get a 10 minute workout in and a quiet time with the Lord – Boy, little did I know that God had a workout and quiet time all planned for me!
Well, the alarm went off and I quickly turned it off.
I popped the pacifier into Matthias’ mouth and pretended to sleep.
Then my quiet time came…right out of Miracle’s mouth as her little hand ventured for my face in the dark and she whispered, “Jesus.”
“What?” I asked.
“Jesus is Alive!” Miracle continued to whisper.
----If the morning could have ended here, it would be the sweetest reminder ever----
It continued.
I told Miracle I had to take a shower. She asked to take a bath. I didn’t oppose the idea because I thought it might keep her occupied and get me clean; killing two birds with one stone. The bath was fine, except the water was too hot for Miracle and so I had to put lots of cold in and a cold bath is not my thing.
Matthias started crying.
We got out of the tub.
I put a diaper on Miracle. Then I started to feed Matthias. Miracle found some of my old makeup and compact in the drawer. (I have let her use this one when I do my makeup.) The best thing about this situation was the fact that she listened when I told her she had to do her makeup sitting on the towel. So there I was stuck in the chair nursing Matthias, watching a two year demolish my eye shadow and blush. She was “GENTLY” in 2year old fashion brushing it all over her tummy, her cheek, and the towel.
Matthias went back to sleep…another quiet time from the Lord!
However, while I was putting Matthias back in his crib, Miracle went in the bathroom shut the door and opened the drawer that blocked me from opening the door. She finally opened the door with the most disgusted look on her face, while sticking out her white coated tongue, “I need some water.” She said. And I looked down in the drawer to see the white stuff - DEODORANT.
And so my first workout (or maybe this would be my third workout of the morning) began as I tried to work the deodorant out of her mouth. I tried to explain to Miracle that she needed to put water in her mouth and then spit it in the sink. That didn’t work because the water would be swallowed too quickly for her to spit it out. I tried to observe by the figured scratches on the deodorant how much she may have ingested. I don’t think it was much but the words on the deodorant prompted me to call poison control. First, I had to search for the number for poison control.
(Yeah, yeah, I know I should have had it on the fridge already and I better get ready for more of this with an adventurous boy soon to be mobile. I’ve heard it from many moms and dads.)
Well, poison control said that she would be fine but to give her some water and something else to eat. She was yelling to me while I was on the phone that she was hungry. She picked out fruit snacks and fishy crackers (anything was fine by me at this point just as long as it was edible).
Believe it or not, I had remained very calm and collected so far and if you know me at all, it takes a special quiet time and act of God to keep this drama queen even keel in most situations.
Finally my 2year old was sitting quietly at her lil’ table with her fishy crackers and fruit snacks. I went to quickly to do my hair. I went to check on the silence which is always scary for a mom...some of the water had spilled and the fishy’s were now swimming in her water glass…what next? Oh did I mention that she also spotted the tums and tantrumed because I quickly took them away?
Seriously, what next?
I then heard my phone vibrate. This was another quiet time from the Lord. Pete sent me a text that read, “Psalm 34:3…I love you.”
I decided to not take anymore chances. I got Miracle out to the car. Put Matthias into his car seat still asleep and brought his clothes and diaper to daycare. My plan was to just change Matthias at daycare. My wonderful daycare provider just sent me on my way out the door.
I drove straight to the gym and took a 10minute walk and listened to my music to try to cool my head. It wasn’t really working.
Something within me just wanted to quit. Quit because …. Well the reasons don’t really matter at this point. I just wanted to quit. I battled my thoughts (about my life, working full time, ability to be a mom, how to parent, and the state of my marriage) within with scripture that came to my mind. My spirit is so willing but my flesh is so weak.
It is so easy to think life would be better if we just quit trying or believing or caring.
To make matters even more humorous, my aunt is always telling me to let her know when I can have lunch with her. So I decided, I would call her and let her know that this week would work. She answered her cell phone with such a quiet sleepy voice. Here she was on spring break in Whistler, Canada where it was 6:30 am and I had woken her up. What next? How humiliating!
So I grabbed my book, “Come Away My Beloved” by Frances J Roberts. And leave it to God to speak. The writing I was on was titled Resignation. Now if that isn’t perfect or what? I just love God!
Here are some parts of the reading:
‘Incline thine heart unto Me. For lo, I have an urgent message to give thee. Resign all into My hands-they loved ones as well as thine own self. Be obedient to the still small voice. Thine own imaginings may speak more loudly, but wait upon Me always. Ye shall see the wisdom and the glory in this in due time. Fret not about carnal things, but concern thyself first and always about spiritual values. Truly, My promise is still: “Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and all the other needful things SHALL BE ADDED unto thee.”
So there you have it.
I know what is next.
It is my resignation unto the Lord.
I resign ALL unto HIS hands.
Father, please lift me up in due time.
I love you.
Amen.
I must document this morning or I may be distracted all day.
The morning started early this morning.
Pete left at 5:30am and right before he left, Miracle started crying and somehow ‘magically’ landed in bed with me.
So…
Daddy is gone to enjoy a nice quiet workout and get to work on time (I admit my jealousy).
Mommy is suddenly lying in between the 2yr old (who thinks it is morning and wants to get up) and the 7month old (who can’t figure out why his sister is talking and the lights are shining in the room and now wants to eat because he is by mommy).
My alarm was set for 5:45am with high hopes to get a 10 minute workout in and a quiet time with the Lord – Boy, little did I know that God had a workout and quiet time all planned for me!
Well, the alarm went off and I quickly turned it off.
I popped the pacifier into Matthias’ mouth and pretended to sleep.
Then my quiet time came…right out of Miracle’s mouth as her little hand ventured for my face in the dark and she whispered, “Jesus.”
“What?” I asked.
“Jesus is Alive!” Miracle continued to whisper.
----If the morning could have ended here, it would be the sweetest reminder ever----
It continued.
I told Miracle I had to take a shower. She asked to take a bath. I didn’t oppose the idea because I thought it might keep her occupied and get me clean; killing two birds with one stone. The bath was fine, except the water was too hot for Miracle and so I had to put lots of cold in and a cold bath is not my thing.
Matthias started crying.
We got out of the tub.
I put a diaper on Miracle. Then I started to feed Matthias. Miracle found some of my old makeup and compact in the drawer. (I have let her use this one when I do my makeup.) The best thing about this situation was the fact that she listened when I told her she had to do her makeup sitting on the towel. So there I was stuck in the chair nursing Matthias, watching a two year demolish my eye shadow and blush. She was “GENTLY” in 2year old fashion brushing it all over her tummy, her cheek, and the towel.
Matthias went back to sleep…another quiet time from the Lord!
However, while I was putting Matthias back in his crib, Miracle went in the bathroom shut the door and opened the drawer that blocked me from opening the door. She finally opened the door with the most disgusted look on her face, while sticking out her white coated tongue, “I need some water.” She said. And I looked down in the drawer to see the white stuff - DEODORANT.
And so my first workout (or maybe this would be my third workout of the morning) began as I tried to work the deodorant out of her mouth. I tried to explain to Miracle that she needed to put water in her mouth and then spit it in the sink. That didn’t work because the water would be swallowed too quickly for her to spit it out. I tried to observe by the figured scratches on the deodorant how much she may have ingested. I don’t think it was much but the words on the deodorant prompted me to call poison control. First, I had to search for the number for poison control.
(Yeah, yeah, I know I should have had it on the fridge already and I better get ready for more of this with an adventurous boy soon to be mobile. I’ve heard it from many moms and dads.)
Well, poison control said that she would be fine but to give her some water and something else to eat. She was yelling to me while I was on the phone that she was hungry. She picked out fruit snacks and fishy crackers (anything was fine by me at this point just as long as it was edible).
Believe it or not, I had remained very calm and collected so far and if you know me at all, it takes a special quiet time and act of God to keep this drama queen even keel in most situations.
Finally my 2year old was sitting quietly at her lil’ table with her fishy crackers and fruit snacks. I went to quickly to do my hair. I went to check on the silence which is always scary for a mom...some of the water had spilled and the fishy’s were now swimming in her water glass…what next? Oh did I mention that she also spotted the tums and tantrumed because I quickly took them away?
Seriously, what next?
I then heard my phone vibrate. This was another quiet time from the Lord. Pete sent me a text that read, “Psalm 34:3…I love you.”
I decided to not take anymore chances. I got Miracle out to the car. Put Matthias into his car seat still asleep and brought his clothes and diaper to daycare. My plan was to just change Matthias at daycare. My wonderful daycare provider just sent me on my way out the door.
I drove straight to the gym and took a 10minute walk and listened to my music to try to cool my head. It wasn’t really working.
Something within me just wanted to quit. Quit because …. Well the reasons don’t really matter at this point. I just wanted to quit. I battled my thoughts (about my life, working full time, ability to be a mom, how to parent, and the state of my marriage) within with scripture that came to my mind. My spirit is so willing but my flesh is so weak.
It is so easy to think life would be better if we just quit trying or believing or caring.
To make matters even more humorous, my aunt is always telling me to let her know when I can have lunch with her. So I decided, I would call her and let her know that this week would work. She answered her cell phone with such a quiet sleepy voice. Here she was on spring break in Whistler, Canada where it was 6:30 am and I had woken her up. What next? How humiliating!
So I grabbed my book, “Come Away My Beloved” by Frances J Roberts. And leave it to God to speak. The writing I was on was titled Resignation. Now if that isn’t perfect or what? I just love God!
Here are some parts of the reading:
‘Incline thine heart unto Me. For lo, I have an urgent message to give thee. Resign all into My hands-they loved ones as well as thine own self. Be obedient to the still small voice. Thine own imaginings may speak more loudly, but wait upon Me always. Ye shall see the wisdom and the glory in this in due time. Fret not about carnal things, but concern thyself first and always about spiritual values. Truly, My promise is still: “Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and all the other needful things SHALL BE ADDED unto thee.”
So there you have it.
I know what is next.
It is my resignation unto the Lord.
I resign ALL unto HIS hands.
Father, please lift me up in due time.
I love you.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
No replacement for mommy
Well, my bathroom has:
* two nebulizer cups and "fishy" masks
* two tylenol measuring syringes
* a thermometer
* one almost empty kleenex box
* one full ready to open kleenex box
* two kiddos wheezing and coughing and snotting all over
Yep, you guessed it. Both of the kiddos have been sick for the past four days. Miracle is proving to be tough and is quickly getting back to her normal, challenging two year old with an Attitude with a capital "A".
I have been forced to be a stay at home mom for the past two days and it has not been an easy task. Pete and I hope that some day, I can be home with the children but only getting to be home when they are both sick isn't ideal. You know how it is when you are sick. The days and nights become the same and if one isn't crying for mommy, the other one is. Daddy feels helpless. Mommy wants daddy around but nobody else seems to want him lately. This is by far the worst cold that Matthias has had and the breathing with wheezing, of course, is what makes me pray a lil' harder these days.
I'm not complaining, though, I tried to be so grateful for my time at home with my two lil' blessings. I have prayed my way through the nights and day today feeling so inadequate for the task of being a mother. The Lord really did whisper to me this afternoon by saying, "I created you to be the mother of Miracle and Matthias and you can do it with my help." Struggling to believe this whispering truth...when do parents get trained in teaching and parenting 2 year olds and a degree in nursing to be sure your baby isn't working too too hard to breathe?
So here's what I accomplished today:
*Miracle and I made a lil' picture about camping, fishing, and roasting marshmallows at the campfire. (It was the only project I could find in some old scrapbooking supplies).
*Miracle learned how to sharpen pencils and erase the writing on the paper.
*Miracle challenged mommy's authority and spent 25 minutes locked in her room with her potty chair because she wouldn't let mommy put her diaper on. Mommy won! And no she isn't potty trained yet.
*Matthias slept, cried, whined, coughed, wheezed, ate for 3-4 minutes, slept, cried, whined, coughed...my poor baby just isn't feeling well.
*Miracle and I whipped up some healthy applesauce muffins with hidden veggies in them.
*When daddy came home from work, mommy ran to the gym for a quick 10minute walk.
So, here I am it's 8:35pm and I haven't showered today, smell like baby spit up, wondering if I should stay home another day with Matthias because nobody replaces the touch of a mommy when you're sick...
* two nebulizer cups and "fishy" masks
* two tylenol measuring syringes
* a thermometer
* one almost empty kleenex box
* one full ready to open kleenex box
* two kiddos wheezing and coughing and snotting all over
Yep, you guessed it. Both of the kiddos have been sick for the past four days. Miracle is proving to be tough and is quickly getting back to her normal, challenging two year old with an Attitude with a capital "A".
I have been forced to be a stay at home mom for the past two days and it has not been an easy task. Pete and I hope that some day, I can be home with the children but only getting to be home when they are both sick isn't ideal. You know how it is when you are sick. The days and nights become the same and if one isn't crying for mommy, the other one is. Daddy feels helpless. Mommy wants daddy around but nobody else seems to want him lately. This is by far the worst cold that Matthias has had and the breathing with wheezing, of course, is what makes me pray a lil' harder these days.
I'm not complaining, though, I tried to be so grateful for my time at home with my two lil' blessings. I have prayed my way through the nights and day today feeling so inadequate for the task of being a mother. The Lord really did whisper to me this afternoon by saying, "I created you to be the mother of Miracle and Matthias and you can do it with my help." Struggling to believe this whispering truth...when do parents get trained in teaching and parenting 2 year olds and a degree in nursing to be sure your baby isn't working too too hard to breathe?
So here's what I accomplished today:
*Miracle and I made a lil' picture about camping, fishing, and roasting marshmallows at the campfire. (It was the only project I could find in some old scrapbooking supplies).
*Miracle learned how to sharpen pencils and erase the writing on the paper.
*Miracle challenged mommy's authority and spent 25 minutes locked in her room with her potty chair because she wouldn't let mommy put her diaper on. Mommy won! And no she isn't potty trained yet.
*Matthias slept, cried, whined, coughed, wheezed, ate for 3-4 minutes, slept, cried, whined, coughed...my poor baby just isn't feeling well.
*Miracle and I whipped up some healthy applesauce muffins with hidden veggies in them.
*When daddy came home from work, mommy ran to the gym for a quick 10minute walk.
So, here I am it's 8:35pm and I haven't showered today, smell like baby spit up, wondering if I should stay home another day with Matthias because nobody replaces the touch of a mommy when you're sick...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Please leave the LIGHT on?
Because there is more than this life.
Because I was made for eternity.
Because heaven is my home.
Because I can teach my two year old “This little light of mine.” And truly live out what it means as an example to her.
I will never cease to fight the good fight. I will rely more and more on the power of the Holy Spirit that can so mightily work within me to live day to day.
Over the past 7 days, my husband and I have been challenged by the command from Jesus in Matthew 5:14, “You, Elizabeth and Pete, are the light of the world.” This challenge actually stirred from a church service and we were challenged to take home a lil’ candle as a reminder to be lights in this world. I love to have the lights on in the house, if there is ever any daylight at all the blinds and curtains are always open for the sun to shine into our home. I love the light. Thankfully, as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, He has filled me with undying light. So even when the sun goes down and darkness fills the night sky, when the blinds and curtains are closed there is a light that never turns off within me…
I have texted Pete most of the past 7 days with a small reminder and encouragement “we are the light of the world”.
It’s been a challenge to be bright, life-giving, and a piercer of darkness…
In just these past 7 days I have:
*been daily watching, waiting, and reading on caring bridge about a dear lil’ 10month old baby boy that is fighting the RSV virus, overcoming surgery after getting a pacemaker, and so much more…currently he has maxed the ventilator out…the baby’s mom and I have been sending personal emails back and forth as well…do you think she needs a lil’ light right now?
*talked to a dear girl friend of mine who is struggling to keep her confidence and esteem after her boyfriend asks for some space after hanging out almost every weekend for the past 5months…suddenly to her the future is dark and confusing…
*a coworker and I were talking about one of her friends who converted to Mormonism…yet Jesus said it himself that He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (the cross, Jesus death & resurrection)…
*a dear friend told me that she was about to give up on her marriage…
*an extended family member just found out she needs to do further testing after an abnormal Pap…
*held a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine who is 38weeks pregnant and anticipating the excitement, anxiety, and unknowns of the birth of her baby boy…
*personally, I fell short, my pride got the best of me, my passionate, dramatic, and selfish tendencies once again blindsided me and I humiliated myself in front of some dear friends…
I know the list could be longer but those are the ones fresh on my heart and mind today. Aren’t we all just so desperate for light to pierce the darkness within our deepest struggles right now? Whether these struggles are inward or outward, we all need something greater to pierce it. It is Christ that can work within me and you, if we would just deny ourselves.
Furthermore, there was much hope within this week…
*I found a great website to share with my co-worker that compared Mormonism to Christianity, praying and claiming that the true Light of Christ will consume them (my co-worker and her friend).
*I was able to pray with the fragile, yet strong mom of the lil’ baby through email communicating the living words of God.
*My friend who is trying to figure out what went wrong in the 5 months of dating realized that maybe the situation was bigger than her and that God was acting and answering many of her prayers that her .
And I heard a song on the radio by Selah called Glory and the words continue to play over and over in my head “One day voices that lie will all be silenced, One day all that’s divided will be whole again. One day death will retreat…One day love will defeat the strongest enemy…We wanna see Your glory. Every knee falls down before thee.” I am challenged to surrender to Christ my savior that He may be the light within me to shine brightly on my dear friends, family, co-workers, and change me inside out. Because there is more and someday ever person will believe whether it is too late to enter the gates of heaven or not. My heart pounds as I think about this and my mind cannot completely comprehend it. Yet I am burdened to be sure that every person I encountered within these past 7 days experience the Light of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world and that we entail.
Yes, Jesus please, I cry it so often, be the air I breathe, and breathe the breath of life onto others and myself. We need a light that is more than a light bulb we turn on with a switch or the sun that shines through the curtains, we need THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””)
So please and thank you Jesus, for turning and leaving the LIGHT on within my life. I know that it is you and not me. Shine, Jesus, Shine...fill this land with the Father's Glory.
Amen.
Because I was made for eternity.
Because heaven is my home.
Because I can teach my two year old “This little light of mine.” And truly live out what it means as an example to her.
I will never cease to fight the good fight. I will rely more and more on the power of the Holy Spirit that can so mightily work within me to live day to day.
Over the past 7 days, my husband and I have been challenged by the command from Jesus in Matthew 5:14, “You, Elizabeth and Pete, are the light of the world.” This challenge actually stirred from a church service and we were challenged to take home a lil’ candle as a reminder to be lights in this world. I love to have the lights on in the house, if there is ever any daylight at all the blinds and curtains are always open for the sun to shine into our home. I love the light. Thankfully, as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, He has filled me with undying light. So even when the sun goes down and darkness fills the night sky, when the blinds and curtains are closed there is a light that never turns off within me…
I have texted Pete most of the past 7 days with a small reminder and encouragement “we are the light of the world”.
It’s been a challenge to be bright, life-giving, and a piercer of darkness…
In just these past 7 days I have:
*been daily watching, waiting, and reading on caring bridge about a dear lil’ 10month old baby boy that is fighting the RSV virus, overcoming surgery after getting a pacemaker, and so much more…currently he has maxed the ventilator out…the baby’s mom and I have been sending personal emails back and forth as well…do you think she needs a lil’ light right now?
*talked to a dear girl friend of mine who is struggling to keep her confidence and esteem after her boyfriend asks for some space after hanging out almost every weekend for the past 5months…suddenly to her the future is dark and confusing…
*a coworker and I were talking about one of her friends who converted to Mormonism…yet Jesus said it himself that He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (the cross, Jesus death & resurrection)…
*a dear friend told me that she was about to give up on her marriage…
*an extended family member just found out she needs to do further testing after an abnormal Pap…
*held a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine who is 38weeks pregnant and anticipating the excitement, anxiety, and unknowns of the birth of her baby boy…
*personally, I fell short, my pride got the best of me, my passionate, dramatic, and selfish tendencies once again blindsided me and I humiliated myself in front of some dear friends…
I know the list could be longer but those are the ones fresh on my heart and mind today. Aren’t we all just so desperate for light to pierce the darkness within our deepest struggles right now? Whether these struggles are inward or outward, we all need something greater to pierce it. It is Christ that can work within me and you, if we would just deny ourselves.
Furthermore, there was much hope within this week…
*I found a great website to share with my co-worker that compared Mormonism to Christianity, praying and claiming that the true Light of Christ will consume them (my co-worker and her friend).
*I was able to pray with the fragile, yet strong mom of the lil’ baby through email communicating the living words of God.
*My friend who is trying to figure out what went wrong in the 5 months of dating realized that maybe the situation was bigger than her and that God was acting and answering many of her prayers that her .
And I heard a song on the radio by Selah called Glory and the words continue to play over and over in my head “One day voices that lie will all be silenced, One day all that’s divided will be whole again. One day death will retreat…One day love will defeat the strongest enemy…We wanna see Your glory. Every knee falls down before thee.” I am challenged to surrender to Christ my savior that He may be the light within me to shine brightly on my dear friends, family, co-workers, and change me inside out. Because there is more and someday ever person will believe whether it is too late to enter the gates of heaven or not. My heart pounds as I think about this and my mind cannot completely comprehend it. Yet I am burdened to be sure that every person I encountered within these past 7 days experience the Light of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world and that we entail.
Yes, Jesus please, I cry it so often, be the air I breathe, and breathe the breath of life onto others and myself. We need a light that is more than a light bulb we turn on with a switch or the sun that shines through the curtains, we need THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””)
So please and thank you Jesus, for turning and leaving the LIGHT on within my life. I know that it is you and not me. Shine, Jesus, Shine...fill this land with the Father's Glory.
Amen.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Snapshots
A few pictures of what has been happening in the past 7 days....
A cute lil' snapshot of Miracle...I heard Miracle waking up, making loud sighs while laying in bed (I'm sure she is just trying to get my attention). She is already, at the young age of 2, a snoozer and loves to stay in bed until the very last minute she can. So this morning I opened her room door to find her laying on her bed, her legs crossed, her head propped up by the pillow reading her board book "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep". She just looked up and smiled. Too cute!
Pete and Miracle went to Dairy Queen on a father/daughter date the other night and when they were leaving Miracle looked at me as she was leaving and said, "bye mommy, be good."
The baby snapshot of Matthias...we attempted to give him his first taste of whole grain rice cereal this past week. He was pretty cute licking the small plastic spoon with his lil' tongue just like a kitten (boy, won't he be impressed with that description when he's older). He loves to babble to me and is always trying to find Miracle in the room. I hope and pray that God blesses Miracle and Matthias with a brother/sister bond that can only come from Him.
It's that time again - I love to carry note cards with verses that the Lord gives me to claim and I've found some new verses to carry with me.
Here are the snapshots of truth:
Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God: we have waited for Him and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for His; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (My best friend and I were talking this past week and she just said that when I am on the vurge of arguing or getting frustrated with my husband to say this verse out loud. It really hit me...I'm always saying that I know there is a war going on much deeper than we know or understand but this lil' practical might help me keep some perspective with my dramatic, passionate self.)
Psalm 119:73, 90a Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.
Ephesians 3:16-21 I pray out of His glorious riches He may strengthen me with all power through His Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge - that I may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within me, to Him be glory in the Church and Christ Jesus throughout all gernerations. Amen
Psalm 38:9,21,22 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord, my sighing is not hidden from you...O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, o my God come quickly to me, O Lord my Savior.
I am so blessed I have been able to make it to women's bible study on Thursday nights for 3 weeks in a row now. We are studying Esther: It's tough being a woman. I am loving it!
A technology snapshot...gotta love cell phones. I was able to have a 3way phone conversation and catch up with my sister in-law and mother in-law.
A physical snapshot...my sister Lindsey borrowed me some 10 minute dvd workouts for moms and I love them. Finally, a workout that I can do every day!
I could share other snapshots with you about the past week. You know the snapshots that would remind you that I have enough drama and troubles of my own and that God is constantly refining and molding me to become like Him but I think I'll let it be this week. I liked this quote from my bible study, "God, in His mercy, chooses at times to retain only the snapshots He took when they (the various biblical people) were standing firm. Then, we can take those moments as beautiful examples."
Extending grace to myself this week and praying that in just a few ways Christ can use me as a beautiful example to my husband and my children of what it means to never stop looking at the snapshots of God's word and allowing Him to continually work in me, through me, and all for His glory.
A cute lil' snapshot of Miracle...I heard Miracle waking up, making loud sighs while laying in bed (I'm sure she is just trying to get my attention). She is already, at the young age of 2, a snoozer and loves to stay in bed until the very last minute she can. So this morning I opened her room door to find her laying on her bed, her legs crossed, her head propped up by the pillow reading her board book "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep". She just looked up and smiled. Too cute!
Pete and Miracle went to Dairy Queen on a father/daughter date the other night and when they were leaving Miracle looked at me as she was leaving and said, "bye mommy, be good."
The baby snapshot of Matthias...we attempted to give him his first taste of whole grain rice cereal this past week. He was pretty cute licking the small plastic spoon with his lil' tongue just like a kitten (boy, won't he be impressed with that description when he's older). He loves to babble to me and is always trying to find Miracle in the room. I hope and pray that God blesses Miracle and Matthias with a brother/sister bond that can only come from Him.
It's that time again - I love to carry note cards with verses that the Lord gives me to claim and I've found some new verses to carry with me.
Here are the snapshots of truth:
Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God: we have waited for Him and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for His; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (My best friend and I were talking this past week and she just said that when I am on the vurge of arguing or getting frustrated with my husband to say this verse out loud. It really hit me...I'm always saying that I know there is a war going on much deeper than we know or understand but this lil' practical might help me keep some perspective with my dramatic, passionate self.)
Psalm 119:73, 90a Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.
Ephesians 3:16-21 I pray out of His glorious riches He may strengthen me with all power through His Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge - that I may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within me, to Him be glory in the Church and Christ Jesus throughout all gernerations. Amen
Psalm 38:9,21,22 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord, my sighing is not hidden from you...O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, o my God come quickly to me, O Lord my Savior.
I am so blessed I have been able to make it to women's bible study on Thursday nights for 3 weeks in a row now. We are studying Esther: It's tough being a woman. I am loving it!
A technology snapshot...gotta love cell phones. I was able to have a 3way phone conversation and catch up with my sister in-law and mother in-law.
A physical snapshot...my sister Lindsey borrowed me some 10 minute dvd workouts for moms and I love them. Finally, a workout that I can do every day!
I could share other snapshots with you about the past week. You know the snapshots that would remind you that I have enough drama and troubles of my own and that God is constantly refining and molding me to become like Him but I think I'll let it be this week. I liked this quote from my bible study, "God, in His mercy, chooses at times to retain only the snapshots He took when they (the various biblical people) were standing firm. Then, we can take those moments as beautiful examples."
Extending grace to myself this week and praying that in just a few ways Christ can use me as a beautiful example to my husband and my children of what it means to never stop looking at the snapshots of God's word and allowing Him to continually work in me, through me, and all for His glory.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Does My World Have To Shake Before I Kneel?
Haiti Earthquake, January 12, 2010
“The countries most severe earthquake in over 200 years.”
I am numb. I am ashamed(of what I take forgranted). I am humbled. I am forgiven(of my lack of...).
So consumed with how to live the "American dream life" that it has taken more than a day for my heart to penetrate the reality of this current event. How I so easily forget that there truly is more than America. It bothers me to even type that sharp realization, but truth be told, I watch the videos of starving children, barren and dark lands, the chosen land of Israel yet my body doesn’t flinch sometimes that there is an entire world out there…”For God so loved the world…”
…always thinking about the trivial things of life: a better job/career for Pete (because he desires it so much), how to get my baby to sleep at night, how to enjoy my mornings as I race out the door with my two lil’ ones, finding motivation to work, paying the bills, etc. The list goes on. You have your own list I’m sure.
Yet, there are 3 million people directly affected (millions more indirectly affected) by the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake…One article spoke of Port-Au-Prince as ‘now the saddest place on earth.’ The tragedy, the shock, the silence after the storm; these are just some of the ponderings of it all. In the midst of it still people are looking for pockets of hope: hope that they will reconnect with family, hope that their home will not collapse, hope that food and water will come soon, hope that they wake up from a dream, hope that they will escape their misery, hope that their loved ones are in heaven, and mostly if they don’t know it yet hope that there is a Sovereign God that loves them that will someday be able to explain this horrendous stifling and fatal storm and save them eternally.
I am having a tough time moving from my numb state of mind to write anymore.
Suddenly, I have an overwhelming urge to kneel knowing full well that Jesus is still alive! I do want to ponder the sounds of the earthquake that brought hope to the nations. It’s Miracle’s favorite: the story of the stone that was rolled away proving that Jesus is alive! It’s the salvation message for all people. For it was ‘a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it’ (Matthew 28:2) that proved the awesome truth, granting life after death and salvation for a world of sinners. I do not in any way want these comments to downplay the strength and darkness and loss that this Haiti earthquake has brought. I cannot imagine the sounds of the land right now in such terror. I truly am numb and struggling to pull my thoughts together.
What my heart and mind desire is to somehow be sure to kneel for the world that God created when any part of it shakes, not just my little world.
I just want to pray (so if this is too intimate for you, you can stop reading now) or you can join me:
Lord God, You alone are creator of heaven and earth. Even the wind and the waves obey you yet in times like this people question your Sovereignty…will you be the Almighty Comforter to the people of Haiti right now? You are the provider of all things, provide them with food and water please. Because you are the Author of Life, you save the living from the dead. Bring hope to the Nations, that those who survived and all of us who witness will heed the call to draw near to you not run from you or blame you. Thank you for the cross where your precious son Jesus’ blood was shed to save us from our sins, to save us from this world that is not our home. Forgive me for the sake that it sometimes takes tragedy to bring me to my knees, but thank you that you are changing my heart to be more like yours by reminding me of your world that is more than just me and my lil’ family. As it says in Isaiah 58, you are the Repairer of Broken Walls and you can rebuild the lives of the people of Haiti. I feel so helpless but in the power of the Holy Spirit I claim authority in Jesus name to live for Christ that others may see and hear and believe. For you are The Way, The Truth, and The Life for all people and I ask that we all will hear the sounds of the life-giving earthquake that happened long ago proclaiming to us all that you Jesus have conquered the grave. Nothing is too hard for you. Have your way Lord Jesus. You see the larger picture and you are not numbed by all of this. I trust you and I run to you my strength and my redeemer. Yes, hallowed be thy name.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
“The countries most severe earthquake in over 200 years.”
I am numb. I am ashamed(of what I take forgranted). I am humbled. I am forgiven(of my lack of...).
So consumed with how to live the "American dream life" that it has taken more than a day for my heart to penetrate the reality of this current event. How I so easily forget that there truly is more than America. It bothers me to even type that sharp realization, but truth be told, I watch the videos of starving children, barren and dark lands, the chosen land of Israel yet my body doesn’t flinch sometimes that there is an entire world out there…”For God so loved the world…”
…always thinking about the trivial things of life: a better job/career for Pete (because he desires it so much), how to get my baby to sleep at night, how to enjoy my mornings as I race out the door with my two lil’ ones, finding motivation to work, paying the bills, etc. The list goes on. You have your own list I’m sure.
Yet, there are 3 million people directly affected (millions more indirectly affected) by the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake…One article spoke of Port-Au-Prince as ‘now the saddest place on earth.’ The tragedy, the shock, the silence after the storm; these are just some of the ponderings of it all. In the midst of it still people are looking for pockets of hope: hope that they will reconnect with family, hope that their home will not collapse, hope that food and water will come soon, hope that they wake up from a dream, hope that they will escape their misery, hope that their loved ones are in heaven, and mostly if they don’t know it yet hope that there is a Sovereign God that loves them that will someday be able to explain this horrendous stifling and fatal storm and save them eternally.
I am having a tough time moving from my numb state of mind to write anymore.
Suddenly, I have an overwhelming urge to kneel knowing full well that Jesus is still alive! I do want to ponder the sounds of the earthquake that brought hope to the nations. It’s Miracle’s favorite: the story of the stone that was rolled away proving that Jesus is alive! It’s the salvation message for all people. For it was ‘a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it’ (Matthew 28:2) that proved the awesome truth, granting life after death and salvation for a world of sinners. I do not in any way want these comments to downplay the strength and darkness and loss that this Haiti earthquake has brought. I cannot imagine the sounds of the land right now in such terror. I truly am numb and struggling to pull my thoughts together.
What my heart and mind desire is to somehow be sure to kneel for the world that God created when any part of it shakes, not just my little world.
I just want to pray (so if this is too intimate for you, you can stop reading now) or you can join me:
Lord God, You alone are creator of heaven and earth. Even the wind and the waves obey you yet in times like this people question your Sovereignty…will you be the Almighty Comforter to the people of Haiti right now? You are the provider of all things, provide them with food and water please. Because you are the Author of Life, you save the living from the dead. Bring hope to the Nations, that those who survived and all of us who witness will heed the call to draw near to you not run from you or blame you. Thank you for the cross where your precious son Jesus’ blood was shed to save us from our sins, to save us from this world that is not our home. Forgive me for the sake that it sometimes takes tragedy to bring me to my knees, but thank you that you are changing my heart to be more like yours by reminding me of your world that is more than just me and my lil’ family. As it says in Isaiah 58, you are the Repairer of Broken Walls and you can rebuild the lives of the people of Haiti. I feel so helpless but in the power of the Holy Spirit I claim authority in Jesus name to live for Christ that others may see and hear and believe. For you are The Way, The Truth, and The Life for all people and I ask that we all will hear the sounds of the life-giving earthquake that happened long ago proclaiming to us all that you Jesus have conquered the grave. Nothing is too hard for you. Have your way Lord Jesus. You see the larger picture and you are not numbed by all of this. I trust you and I run to you my strength and my redeemer. Yes, hallowed be thy name.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Friday, January 8, 2010
Needed: A King Size Bed & Pajamas. Given: 7 Blessings.
I am in need of a King size bed after last night. Let me describe the picture from 3:30 am til' about 5 am last night: How "cuddly" do you think it was when you put my 6'3" 215lb husband, my 37lb 2yr old, me (what woman would tell anyone her weight...sorry), and 17lb almost 5mo old all into a Queen size bed? It was tight and it didn't last long, but what you don't try for a lil' peace and quiet in the middle of the night, I tell ya. The morning came too quick once the kiddos finally fell back to sleep in their own 'beds'(blessing #1).
I was able to have a short prayer time while I nursed Matthias this morning (blessing #2). By the way, if you haven't told me any prayer requests...leave a comment with them so I can pray for you too).
I am amazed at a 2yr old's mind these days. Miracle is remembering the pajamas and clothes she wore this past summer and is diggin' through her drawers every morning to find the certain pair she has on her mind to wear(mickey mouse, the monkey ones, the silky ones...). So for the past few days she has worn her pajamas to daycare. Yes they are a lil' small but I just put her actual clothes underneath so she has long pants and shirt under the shorter smaller ones. I wish I had taken a picture to post! So today I am thankful for pajamas (blessing #3) and in need of some more special ones because it seems to make it smoother and quicker for Miracle to get ready in the morning. When else in our lives, besides when we are two can we get away with wearing our pajamas? I think it's cute and funny and the last battle that I need to win with her.
My husband, as always, had my lunch waiting in the fridge for me to grab on my way out the door (blessing #4).
On my way to work, I realized I hadn't had even a sip of water to drink yet today and surprisingly my bottle of water that was in the car wasn't frozen solid but rather full of small ice chunks so I was able to have a drink of water (blessing #5).
I made it to work and even threw some makeup on my face(blessing #6 & #7).
And it's only 10:15am...more blessings to come and lots of work to do.
Back to work - I just couldn't resist the urge to write a lil' so I never forget these sweet memories and challenges.
I was able to have a short prayer time while I nursed Matthias this morning (blessing #2). By the way, if you haven't told me any prayer requests...leave a comment with them so I can pray for you too).
I am amazed at a 2yr old's mind these days. Miracle is remembering the pajamas and clothes she wore this past summer and is diggin' through her drawers every morning to find the certain pair she has on her mind to wear(mickey mouse, the monkey ones, the silky ones...). So for the past few days she has worn her pajamas to daycare. Yes they are a lil' small but I just put her actual clothes underneath so she has long pants and shirt under the shorter smaller ones. I wish I had taken a picture to post! So today I am thankful for pajamas (blessing #3) and in need of some more special ones because it seems to make it smoother and quicker for Miracle to get ready in the morning. When else in our lives, besides when we are two can we get away with wearing our pajamas? I think it's cute and funny and the last battle that I need to win with her.
My husband, as always, had my lunch waiting in the fridge for me to grab on my way out the door (blessing #4).
On my way to work, I realized I hadn't had even a sip of water to drink yet today and surprisingly my bottle of water that was in the car wasn't frozen solid but rather full of small ice chunks so I was able to have a drink of water (blessing #5).
I made it to work and even threw some makeup on my face(blessing #6 & #7).
And it's only 10:15am...more blessings to come and lots of work to do.
Back to work - I just couldn't resist the urge to write a lil' so I never forget these sweet memories and challenges.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Kicking and Screaming...
From the words of my two year old:
"I don't want to put clothes on."
"No coat."
"Me not want juice in that cup."
"I want my puppy."
She threw her boots down the stairs...
So off I carried her in the cold outside temperatures (-11 to be exact) with her pajamas on, no diaper change since last night, no coat, no boots...just kicking and screaming...Thankfully, I had started the car so it was warm and daycare is only a block away...need I say more about my morning.
Oh in my own ways, I too am a two year old kicking and screaming trying to get my life all ready before I meet with God. Not allowing him to dress me with his armor, his grace, his mercy, his counsel, his will...but yet He too picks me up kicking and screaming because he knows I desire Him more than this life but my eyesight is blind and my ears become deaf to the things of Him sometimes.
My prayer today - Isaiah 11:2 "May the Spirit of the Lord rest on (Pete, Miracle, Matthias, and) Me; the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirt of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." Amen
"I don't want to put clothes on."
"No coat."
"Me not want juice in that cup."
"I want my puppy."
She threw her boots down the stairs...
So off I carried her in the cold outside temperatures (-11 to be exact) with her pajamas on, no diaper change since last night, no coat, no boots...just kicking and screaming...Thankfully, I had started the car so it was warm and daycare is only a block away...need I say more about my morning.
Oh in my own ways, I too am a two year old kicking and screaming trying to get my life all ready before I meet with God. Not allowing him to dress me with his armor, his grace, his mercy, his counsel, his will...but yet He too picks me up kicking and screaming because he knows I desire Him more than this life but my eyesight is blind and my ears become deaf to the things of Him sometimes.
My prayer today - Isaiah 11:2 "May the Spirit of the Lord rest on (Pete, Miracle, Matthias, and) Me; the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirt of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." Amen
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Decisions, decisions...oh my undecisiveness!
So I have been trying to find the perfect blog background and have run out of time to write much on my blog tonight. Just so you know, I still haven't found a background I like...so expect a change soon. It's 11pm and with a 4 1/2 month old baby that is still waking up 2-3 times a night, I really should get to sleep before he wakes up again.
Since I wrote last...here's what has happened:
Christmas with my side of the family...
*anxiety travelling on the North Dakota winter roads and in the car 10 hours to get home - thank the Lord for DVD players and PRAISE BABY DVD'S
*16 people total, 7 of them kids all under the age of 7
*snow, blizzard
*pinochle games
*family share time and prayer time
Christmas with Pete's side of the family
A New Year's Eve Party with friends and family
Pete experienced life as a stay at home dad for 3 days because daycare was closed. I was so impressed! What a dad he is! Life was less stressful since I only had to get myself out the door and not the two kiddos. Life will be back to the normal grind tomorrow...another reason I should get to bed and SOON! YIKES!
So much more to say...
Happy 2010 - already needing to breathe in a lil' bit more of Jesus. Pray for me and let me know how I can pray for you.
Goodnight.
Since I wrote last...here's what has happened:
Christmas with my side of the family...
*anxiety travelling on the North Dakota winter roads and in the car 10 hours to get home - thank the Lord for DVD players and PRAISE BABY DVD'S
*16 people total, 7 of them kids all under the age of 7
*snow, blizzard
*pinochle games
*family share time and prayer time
Christmas with Pete's side of the family
A New Year's Eve Party with friends and family
Pete experienced life as a stay at home dad for 3 days because daycare was closed. I was so impressed! What a dad he is! Life was less stressful since I only had to get myself out the door and not the two kiddos. Life will be back to the normal grind tomorrow...another reason I should get to bed and SOON! YIKES!
So much more to say...
Happy 2010 - already needing to breathe in a lil' bit more of Jesus. Pray for me and let me know how I can pray for you.
Goodnight.
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