Thankful Thursday.

Today I am thankful for my husband, Andy. He is pretty much amazing. We've been married seven years, and he still gives me butterflies. He is always showering me with hugs and kisses, and he makes me laugh even when I don't want to. He is an amazing daddy to our wonderful kids. He loves the Lord with all his heart and it always leading our family towards the King. He is a keeper. 

Bring it on 2014!

2013: 

1. We celebrated 7 years of marriage. 

2. Our son started Kindergarten. (I cried like a baby)

3. Our daughter broke her arm and had to wear a cast for 90% of the summer.

4. My husband and I left our childhood church (one of the hardest things I've EVER done) and found an great church where God has been doing AMAZING things in our marriage and family.

5. God blessed us more than we ever deserved.

Now three days into the New Year and I'm beyond THRILLED to see what is in store for us. May God be glorified in everything we say and do. If 2014 is ONLY half as good as 2013 was, I know it will be great! 

Bring it on 2014!

Today I delete Facebook.

Today is the day I delete Facebook. This is a BIG deal. I'm a Facebook junkie. (sigh) I spend entirely too much time on it, and my husband has been trying to get me to notice for awhile now, but I didn't want to. I didn't think it was an issue, but let me be honest, it was. 

I'm the mom who would get frustrated with her kids because they needed a drink while I browsed my News Feed. 

I'm the wife who looked at other wives who were showering and loving their husbands, but neglecting the fact that my own husband two feet away needed a simple hug and truth spoken to him. 

I'm the granddaughter who would sit hours with my grandma, barely talking, but instead engaging on my tablet/phone and every once in a while truthfully acknowledging what she would say. 

I'm the daughter who lost a mom and looked to social media for condolences. 

I'm the friend who gets jealous when another "friend" doesn't comment on my post, but will comment on all of her other friends post. I had like 500 friends on Facebook, and yes, I know all of them, but I'm a really friends with them ... No. 

I'm the Christian who would attempt to read my Bible, yet 5 minutes later I would shut it and look to Facebook for community and spiritual growth. I even joined devotional groups and accountability groups. 

I can go on and on about my bad habits. 

Truth is I want to turn that time that I was wasting into time that I'm engaged with my husband and my children. I don't want my husband to feel neglected because of social media. I don't want my kids to remember me as a mom who is constantly staring at a screen instead of properly responding and meeting their needs. I want my quiet time to just be me and God and Him speaking to me. 

So, I'm going to be recording my journey here so I can see how different my life is. I know it's going to be great. I know God is going to bless me and show his favor upon me. I know my marriage is going to be stronger than ever, and I know my kids are going to feel honored and loved even more. I'm actually (kinda) excited for this journey. It's a long awaited one. 

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.