The Good and The Bad ...

I am so blessed. Most days are blissful, some are not.

1. I have an amazing husband who loves the kiddos and me unconditionally.
2. I have two perfectly healthy kiddos.
3. I am able to eat strawberries, nutella, and whip cream on angel food cake with my favorite cup of coffee whenever I decide to go to the store and buy the stuff.
4. I can go to church and worship a LIVING God and proclaim the name of Jesus at ANY TIME I desire.
5. I have everything I need.

But, I can't help think about the other side of this ...

1. Almost 49% of marriages end in divorce.
2. Though my kids drive me crazy at times, there are some women who will never have kids.
3. 1 in 6 people in the US alone, are faced with hunger. Yet, I complain about cooking each night of the week.
4. There are Christians EVERYDAY who are jailed and persecuted for their faith.
5. In 2011, 46.2 million people in the US live at or below poverty level. They struggle to provide the bare necessities for their families.

It's a broken world with broken promises that only God can fix, we just have to be willing to let Him fix it.

Becoming More ...

Recently I started reading the book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl, by Lysa Terkeurst. I'm only on chapter 3 and I've already connected to her and have been convicted about my own Bible study habits, or therefore lack of. I can't even say I'm good at it because quite frankly I stink at it. I'm always coming up with excuses. 

*I don't have time
*The kids need my attention
*Laundry must be done
*I have to buy groceries

The sad thing is, I never have a "good" excuse. I just don't make time. As we've entered Holy Week and the thought of Jesus being crucified for me, almost makes me sick to my stomach. He knew when He was put on that cross that I wouldn't have "time" for Him. He knew I would make excuses to get away from reading my Bible. He knew I would be able to answer all the questions, with a "good Bible answer" but would I really know the truth? He knew that I would suck at the whole christian thing, yet he did it anyway! He did it for me! He did it because I'm not perfect! He did it because He knew more than anything that I needed Him. He did it for love. 

I thank goodness for God's grace and mercy because there is hope for me, and my hope is Him. Thank goodness that Sunday is coming and the grave couldn't hold him because my victory has been proclaimed. 

I refuse to keep making excuses. I will make time no matter what it takes. Time for Jesus. 

Church for Sale.

Right down the road from our house is a church with a sign in the yard that says, "For Sale." I drive by it often and every time I wonder why is it for sale? Is it because the pastor doesn't preach right? The people don't like each other? The lack of money? Maybe they moved to a bigger building because the church is very small? All these questions run through my  head and I wonder about the people that aren't being reached because that church isn't there anymore. Then I remember, WE are the church not the BUILDING. The building is a place to come for spiritual maturity and to encourage our fellow believers, but ultimately it's what we do after we have come together that matters. Our duty is to follow out the Great Commission and save a dying world. To be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus. Buildings come and go, but the heart of the church remains.

Mother's Day.

Yesterday was a great Mother's Day for me. My hubby and kids spoiled me rotten! I got woken up to bagels with strawberry cream cheese and fresh strawberries on top with some roses from the bush outback. As I was getting ready I heard two very anxious little children giggling and all of a sudden they greeted me at the bathroom with some cards they signed. For lunch we had Mexican- my favorite. Then for dinner it was homemade chicken and dumpling and homemade pot pie from Kay and Drew with the help of my mom. I am so privileged to be a mom to my two beautiful children. I couldn't ask God for more perfect kids. 

Creation is simply amazing.

As I sit here on the front porch, in one ear I hear my amazing kids riding bikes and eating ice cream. In the other ear I can hear the birds chirping, the cat meowing, and the wind whistling in the trees. It's then that I am reminded of how beautiful God's creation is. I am always intrigued by the seasons and the changes that come along with them but perhaps my favorites are spring and fall. The grass is green, the flowers are growing, and the animals are roaming about. 


How is it that at one point there was none of this? Then our amazing God decided he would speak and it would happen. I often have trouble getting my husband or kids to listen when I speak and getting them to do tasks is sometimes difficult, but for God speaking the creation to be was as simple as that. He asked one time for there to be day and night and there was. He didn't have to ask anything twice. It just listened. I often wonder what would happen if He would've spoke creation to be in a different order? Why did he choose to do it in the manner that he did? One day I'll be able to ask. Then, he decided to create man. I often wonder why he created man especially knowing that they would disobey him and live a life of sin and he would have to give his son for us. Then I realize that's how amazing our God is. Every thing has it's place and purpose. I'm so thankful that I can bathe in the presence of God and is creation daily. It's the time when God most speaks to me. I just sit quietly and listen. AMAZING. 

Insights of a three-year-old

Andrew has shared some much needed knowledge over the past week. 

Insight #1:

Andy: Angel, what did you do to the bathroom?

Andrew: Daddy, the bathroom is still there. You can't move it.

Insight #2:

Andrew: Mommy, Mawmaw needs to stop smoking, it's bad.

Me: Yes, Andrew you are right. Smoking is bad.

Andrew: Yup. Her lungs will look like the inside of a fireplace if she doesn't stop.

Insight #3:

Andy: Andrew, you know you are eating pig, right? (bacon)

Andrew: Well, I looove pig. 

(A few minutes later he goes to poop.)

Andrew: Mommy, help! I just pooped pig!!! 

Oh the joys of motherhood!!! 

Train up a child in the way he should go ...

Earlier this month we went to register Kayliegh for school. It was a bitter-sweet moment. It's hard to believe she is old enough to start Kindergarten. She is so excited. Her face lit up with joy as we walked through the halls of the school. I've been going over in my head how I will feel the first day I drop her off.

Tonight I was talking to a neighbor and she informed me about all the moral issues that our children face today (which don't get me wrong, I'm completely aware of this) and about how the school system isn't helping the moral upbringing of our kids. I want my children to know that it is okay to speak the name of Jesus, it's okay to pray for your lunch in front of other students, and it is okay to say "in God we trust" or "one nation under God." Besides, it's because of God that we even merely exist. The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." I want my children's #1 goal in life is to love Jesus with all their heart, soul, and mind, and I'm hoping that even at their young ages I am instilling that in them. Then, I realize, my child is going to be going to a public school soon and how much harder will that be when the "world" is contradicting what I try to teach her. When the world is against Jesus and peers will be questioning what she believes and why she believes it. When peers will tell her there isn't a Jesus and speak of someone different, like Budda. Or when peers talk about the Koran instead of the Bible. How in the world am I going to keep her on the path of righteousness. The more I think about sending her to school the more I'm scared.

So, over the next few months I am going to be eagerly seeking God's guidance on the situation. Private schools is out of the question with our limited income, so at this time the only other option is homeschooling - which is a process I don't even know where to begin. I know I can't take her out of the world and it's wickedness, but I want to do my best to preserve her little heart and her love of Jesus for as long as I can.