On the move

Now that Andrew and Lila are done with naps and love to go, go, go, we decided to start them in non competitive gymnastics.  This class is about getting them moving and having fun.  The kids are in a large class together once a week.  That class is broken into groups of 4 or 5 as they work on different skills.  Sometimes the kids are together and sometimes they are in different groups.  They begin with stretching, then move to beams, floor work, trampoline, bars, or pommel horse.  It's been fun watching their little personalities from across the gym.  I've been surprised to see Andrew volunteer to go first and have loved seeing the thrill on both of their faces.  Neither one seems to be taking themselves too seriously.  And I love that they are having fun.

Renewed Spirit

I've got to admit.  As I alluded to in one of my last post, I had a rough November, December and early January.  Really dreary days.  I tried to let go of the pressures but many days they got the best of me.  Thankfully, I am surrounded by an encouraging group of ladies in my Community Bible Study leadership team who are all more experienced in life than I am.  One of those ladies just kept encouraging me to press into the Lord.  Seek Him.  Don't give in to the fiery darts.  Put on the armor of God daily...even when your heart doesn't feel like it.  So I did.  I read alot from Streams in the Dessert and continued our study of 1 Peter.  There haven't been many times where I can pinpoint major change in my heart.  My faith and relationship with Jesus have just matured slowly over the years.  But I definitely experienced an answer to prayers a few weekends ago.  

I travelled to San Antonio to meet my sweet sister while she attended a ultrasound seminar.  We had a great time on Saturday afternoon...window shopping, talking, taking in a movie that pulled at my heart (Country Strong gave me an overwhelming sense of compassion for addiction and living with guilt), had dinner with my aunt and uncle.  Sunday was a different good.  Angel had class all day with the exception of meal time.  I woke up and spent the morning in God's word.  I read and prayed and reflected -- uninterrupted (moms of preschoolers, you know this is in itself is priceless).  I read 1 Peter; I read Psalms.  I just took in every minute of silence that was allotted me.  God met me and refreshed me.  He is faithful to His word and my prayer:

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, 
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
11 Do not cast me from your presence 
   or take your Holy Spirit from me. 
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation 
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

I am encouraged that God created me to be His unique child, with a purpose so much greater than the stuff of this world.  Although I am in constant need to recall the scripture "Do everything without complaining..."(Phil 4:12) or "Your (God's) grace is sufficient..."(2 Cor 12:9), God longs for what is best for me and wants what is best from me.  Music always helps me to reflect on my heart, my own life. This song is so uplifting.  My God thinks I'm beautiful.

Here's some things He loves about me (or at least covers with His grace).

• I love to dance and sing at the top of my lungs to to 80's & 90's country hits....the ones I listened to growing up in my parents' cabinet shop and riding down the road in my dad's Ford trucks.  
• I cannot keep my closet organized.  Just can't put the laundry away or fold the clothes that I take off that aren't dirty. 31, just don't see that changing anytime soon.
• I get so excited when I'm studying the Bible and make a connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament or learn some Greek meaning of a word that I had only understood from a 21st century American perspective.
• I love to lift heavy stuff and get pumped when I finish a workout that had me terrified before I began.
• I'm learning to learn from failing...especially in the kitchen.  I don't have to stick with everything that is FOR SURE going to turn out just the way I planned.
• Ok, that one goes for more than just the kitchen.
• I have a passion for leading women in learning God's word and what it can reveal to them personally.
• I can give up on trying to be perfect.  I can just be the me He created.
• I love hugs and kisses from my babies and I love to read with them and watch them play together.
• I want my marriage and our home and everything Drew & I touch to glorify God.
• I can get bogged down by the little things.  But He is faithful to give me perspective and remind me not to sweat the small stuff...my purpose is so much more.

Whatever it is, He loves me.  I don't have to prove myself to Him.  He knows my heart.  And He will be the one to judge it.

Giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun...all those starry nights, those were His design ~ Chris August

Christmas catchup

It never seems to slow down!  So it's mid January and I'm just posting a few pictures of our Christmas whirlwind.

Andrew's Christmas program at preschool was a success. 

Our family after the show

Santa visited our neighborhood.  The kids and I even got to take a carriage ride.

Lila enjoying a story with Mrs. Clause 

Lila taking Ainsley for a ride in her new Jeep

Andrew and Luke testing out the "fast" jeep

Celebrating Christmas in MS.  Mom, MawMaw, Lila and me.

Cheese!

Nana had to have a picture with all the grandkids. 

I'm quickly learning a game of football is necessary for any family gathering.

Emma, Andrew, Lila, and Sara making cookies for Santa in LA on Christmas Eve.

Little Miss Priss 

Drew & Andrew testing out a RC helicopter.

Encouragement

Holidays are filled with hustle and bustle...filled with good tidings and cheer...filled with STRESS?!?! ...TEARS?!?!...stress about STRESS and TEARS?!?!  Whether you're juggling a dozen "light" loads or buckling under one life-or-death burden, Matthew 11:28 reminds us that Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  This is not the time of year to set aside quiet time with the Lord but the time to meditate on  His Word.  Even when it is not easy, thank God for what is good (the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ for starters) and cry to Him about what seems unbearable.  He knows all about submitting to the will of the Father when the flesh wants an easier way out (Mark 11:35-36).  Last week when I was struggling with a bit of the blues, a few things happened to pick me up.   One, I received the news that cancer had returned to a young child from my hometown which  gave me much needed perspective in dealing with the mundane of motherhood.  The other thing was a mentor friend of mine suggested that I just cry out to God for some help to lift my spirit and return the joy to my soul and be encouraged by the Psalms.  When looking for some guided reading I stumbled across a book on our shelf, Streams in the Desert. (this is a link to the free ebook version) I sat down with it and began to read a few days at a time, looking up the devotions that were based in Psalms and then finding myself just reading on.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this devotion book for you or as a gift for anyone who may need to be encouraged or just gain a bit of perspective. 

Here's the entry from December 8 which has stuck with me.  
As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness.  (Col 3:12)
There is an old story of an elderly man who always carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and when he would go through a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges.  If he encountered a gate that was hard to open, he would oil the latch.  And so he went through life, lubricating all the difficult places, making it easier for all those who came after him.  People called the man eccentric, strange, and crazy, but he went steadily on, often refilling his can of oil when it was nearly empty, and oiling all the difficult places he found.
In this world, there are many lives that painfully creak and grate as they go about their daily work.  Often it seems that nothing goes right for them and that they need lubricating with "the oil of joy" (ps 45:7), gentleness, or thoughtfulness.
Do you carry your own can of oil with you?  Are you ready with your oil of helpfulness each morning?  If you offer your oil to the person nearest you, it may just lubricate the entire day for him.  Your oil of cheerfulness will mean more than you know to someone who is downhearted.  Or the oil may be a word of encouragement to a person who is full of despair.  Never fail to speak it, for our lives may touch others only once on the road of life, and then our paths may diverge, never to meet again.  
The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable, ready to receive the redeeming grace of the Savior.  A pleasant word is a bright ray of sunshine on a saddened heart.  Therefore give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest.


We cannot know the grief that men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way.  Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken;
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.


Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Romans 12:10

Thanksgiving Feast

Andrew's preschool offered us the opportunity to visit his class of a Thanksgiving Feast (that is, before Thanksgiving, just a wee bit behind).

Andrew's art work says "I am thankful for my family."

Lila's artwork from Thanksgiving says "I am thankful for ARIEL."

Tremendously thankful for the little people in my life!