New Years Eve

New Years Eve...what a thought.

Hallelujah...

All that has been...hallelujah.

All that was packed within the year...hallelujah.

All that will be...hallelujah.

All the unknowns...hallelujah.

All the knowns...hallelujah.

All of the needs and wants...hallelujah.

Everything, all of it...hallelujah.

Hallelujah...

The New Year has come.

Hello Hands, Meet Your Eyes!

Happy Holidays!

Decorating the home in blankets of color - what could be better! There are so many fun ways of bringing home-made decorations to life, especially in the eyes of a child. It is all new to them; things that they have never done and have barely even begun to imagine. What is even better about the home-made aspect of decorations is getting the kids involved; AND, they are learning and growing in their development during the fun process. While giving them instructions, the conversation involves colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and numbers. What they do not realize is that in the midst of the fun, their hand-eye coordination is growing by leaps and bounds. Which in turn equates to future things like strumming a guitar or measuring liquids for a science project or scanning through a variety of books to find out where a country is located.

Hand-eye coordination is essential in the development of a child's life. They start recognizing how the two work together a few months after birth. Once the process begins, all that is needed are different creative opportunities to develop the precision of the fingers. Hallelujah for creativity, patience, and provision!

"Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." Psalm 119:33-35

Roll'em Out!

Ah, the holiday season...! It brings out the desire for sugar cookies! Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face. There is just something about the process of rolling out the dough and then pressing the cutter shapes into it that brings joy and contentment.

Introducing Isaiah to the cookie world has been so much fun - trying on my patience at times, yes! He is so eager to learn and do what he sees others doing. For this, I am thankful. I can only imagine how the wheels in his brain turn as he watches, listens, and then does each step of the delicious process. And oh, the excitement he expresses - priceless.

As much as possible, I want to continue allowing him to have hands-on experiences in our home. His growth depends on his freedom to discover and apply himself - with guidance and help of course.

Cookie making - mixing the batter, rolling out the dough, pressing the cutters, and baking the little treasures - is a learning exercise. It is fun. It is effective. It is inexpensive. It is easily accessible. The whole process helps Isaiah learn to follow instructions, recognize smells, recognize colors, follows steps and procedures. I have never looked upon the home as much of a school environment as I do now. Children indeed change everything! Hallelujah for them!

May God continue to give me the desire to grow in my creativity and wisdom; Isaiah's growth depends upon it.

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding - indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5

Together

Experiencing the boys playing together is such a pleasure! At times I sit in amazement as to how well they respond to guidance - guidance in how love is a "together" matter. It is not harsh - which they have to often be rebuked for wanting to shove or pummel or pull (more Isaiah right now, but I know I will be rebuking Jeremiah much more very soon!). It is not greedy - sharing toys and space. It is not selfish - sharing mommy and time does not always come easily especially when it comes to food, being tired, or wanting a hug.

I praise the LORD for the on-going teaching that he is bringing my family through in how to be a family - a team. People that encourage one another, build one-another up, listen to what someone needs to say, and how to care is so vital to our success.

Love is not easy, but it is good and beautiful. May God give us the grace to overcome and conquer all that will come our way today and the days to come - together.

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Life's Roughness

Life is rough. There are images all around us in God's creation. From the bark on a tree to the gravel roads we drive on, we cannot escape the reality of its texture.

We live through rough days when we are tried and pushed to our limits. Someone says a harsh word. A project is rejected. Sleep evades us when we need it the most. Our cupboards are bare and we do not have the means of filling them. The baby is crying and we cannot figure out why. On and on the examples come of what challenges us and makes us want to quit. But we keep going...

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

"We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

The Ultimate Washing

Bath times are a big deal in our home! The boys LOVE the water. They love the splashing and swimming (of course to them that is what it is when they can lay down and move their limbs like a fish!) and playing and being naked - and sometimes even doing their laundry (Isaiah is all about doing what I do, so of course, he needed to do the washing in his own way!). There is so much that must remind them of the womb - being surrounded by a cushion of liquid - warmth and nourishment.

God has made water to be such a crucial part of our lives. He fashioned us to be brought forth from a womb filled with water; He had the earth covered in it before undergoing six days of creation; He used it to cleanse the earth from sin when Noah built the ark; He had John the Baptist baptize Jesus in the river; Jesus turned water into wine. One amazing moment, that stood out the most to me, was Jesus kneeling before his disciples with a basin filled with water to wash their feet. "He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." (John 13: 4-5) The Maker of Heaven and earth, in one of the most humblest of positions - the position of a servant, washing another persons feet.

I could not help but take notice of the fact that Jesus chose the feet. It was not the head or the hands or any other part. It was the feet. Of what importance are the feet? Why did the feet get so dirty and be in such a need to be cleaned? I think it has something to do with what Paul spoke about in Galatians when he mentioned the "feet fitted with the gospel of peace." Our feet take us places. They represent who we are. And if we are going to be bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations, then we need to be pure and clean - holy as our Heavenly Father is holy (I have heard that explained to me in the best way: Obey God in all that He reveals to you.).

"Thank you, LORD, for the sweet reminder of what water represents and how You have used it in so many ways. Let me not be afraid of it, nor the boys, but let us gladly drench ourselves in the water You have provided to cleanse us from the inside out."

Look Close

I am often too quick to dismiss an idea or an option when I merely glance at it or briefly consider it. When I constantly skim the surface of things, I can miss great things if I do not look close.

The boys are good at staying busy and moving from one thing to the next. They are very capable of being in the moment. Each thing that they do is fully enjoyed and extremely concentrated. Their capability of experiencing life to the fullest is like a bullion cube (a tasty cooking analogy!); it is rich with flavor - so much that it can be dissolved in a large amount of water - they can have their fullness effect and bless everyone around them. Just as the bullion cube gives flavor to the water it dissolves in, so the boys give flavor to everyone they are around - without even trying. It is simply part of the purity of being a child.

I am reminded of Jesus exhorting us to be the salt of the earth. Salt always brings out the true flavor of any food. It is the common spice used in any dish - in any culture. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13)

Once again, I am so blessed to have the boys in my life. They have so much to teach me - bringing me back to what once came naturally to me when I was their age. In the small and big moments of each day, they help me look close at what matters.

Ibis

The Ibis...

When we first moved down to Miami from Minnesota (about a year and a half ago now!), I saw the Ibis and did not know what it was. I thought it looked funny because of its long beak! I would ask around to neighbors and sometimes to random strangers , but no one could tell me what it was. Finally, one day, I went onto the friendly Wikipedia site and searched out different options of birds until coming upon the right one: the Ibis. So, now, I can look out the window and say to the boys: "Look at the Ibises!". No longer do I have to say "Look at the birds". It is a blessing to be educated!

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ... So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:26-34

Dedicated to the LORD

You know those times in life when everything seems to pile up at the same time and you can barely keep your head above it all...Well, that is how life has been over the past week and a half. So, please forgive me for "having gone missing" for awhile. Believe me, it was not intentional. I often found myself wanting to write to you, but could not muster up enough energy. Anyway, I am back!

One of the many stories to share is of Jeremiah's dedication to the LORD! It was a beautiful time of surrendering him to the LORD and making the public declaration that we, as his parents, are willing to walk in the ways God desires so that he can be raised according to the days ordained for him, from the beginning of time.

"Abba, Father, thank you for Jeremiah Samuel! He is such a pleasure to have and raise and experience life with. Please have your way. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill him up. Drench him with your presence and make your face shine upon him. Protect him from the schemes of the enemy. Give him favor all the days of his life. Put the fear of the LORD in him. Give him wisdom. Establish the work of his hands. Thank you. Amen and amen! He is so beautiful and I love seeing the reflections of your holiness in him."

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

"Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose trust is the LORD." 

Jeremiah 17:7

Righteous Appetite

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
for they will be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

"Whoever pursues righteousness and love 

finds life, prosperity, and honor." Proverbs 21:21

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 

and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Just as Jeremiah is learning to express his hunger for my milk, I must pay attention to his hunger for "God's milk" - righteousness. The body has a system in place, that God designed, to alert us of a need for more food - hunger pains. The spirit within us acts similarly. It longs to be fed and nurtured. When it doesn't receive the proper nutrients, it begins to faint. The Word of God - the Bible - is a way to feed the spirit. Waiting before the LORD - thinking upon His beauty and majesty, declaring praises, and hearing Him speak Truth - is also food for the spirit. And just as Jeremiah will gradually be eating more and more solid foods while decreasing in the amount of milk he drinks, so are we to do in the spirit. We are to grow in what we consume in the spiritual - more time before the LORD. May God deepen and expand Jeremiah's hunger and thirst for righteousness - for God.

Nevertheless

Life is full of challenges, obstacles, and pressures. There does not seem to be a day when there is a break from that truth (how I would love if there was). Hallelujah for growth and learning. Just as Isaiah looked so small up against the giant basketball hoop, that is how the pressures of life can seem when we are up-close to them. When we step back and see them from God's perspective, they don't seem as insurmountable. He has a way of showing us truth like no one can - as no other god can. When Isaiah saw the basketball hoop from far off, I am sure he felt like he could get the ball in there. Seeing others playing the sport also probably helped him find the encouragement that he could do the same - like us when we see others overcoming and making it through challenges. Hallelujah for the Word of God to do the same for us. We can look to those who have gone before us in the faith to see that it is truly possible to overcome and press on. Thank you, Isaiah, for once again revealing truth in such a simple moment of your life!

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:8-14

Purely Blessed

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5

"Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god." Psalm 24

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is 

excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4

The purity of children is astounding. They have a level of innocence that demands protection - fighting to contain the excellence of their nature while sharpening their ability to discern every aspect of life.

I can only begin to imagine what they see when it comes to angels and heavenly things. Can they see the face of God? Could I at one point when I was their age?

These boys are a gift from God, and I am humbled and honored to serve them. That is what I am - a servant to Isaiah and Jeremiah. Every day it takes the grace of Jesus to recognize and see them through the eyes of their Creator and Maker. Calling forth their days ordained from the beginning of time - that is where my mind needs to remain - fixed upon the completion of the men God designed them to be. And a huge part of that is fiercely protecting their purity.

May God bless you all as you persevere in doing similarly.

Cookie Dough Lick!

The first cookie dough lick occurred yesterday, for Isaiah! And let me just say that he was more than pleased! If he would have had his way, no cookies would have been made from the dough - the dough would have never made it to the oven!

Seeing his face, as his taste buds experienced the cookie before it became a cookie, was fantastic! It was one of those moments you try to imprint in your memory so that you can go back as many times as you want - to revisit all of the wonderful details that made it the treasured moment that it was.

I love learning to see life and experience life the way the boys do. They literally live moment by moment - in the present - without worry and concern for what is coming. They are good at trusting and they don't even realize it! They trust me and my husband to have what they need when they need it. Hallelujah for another aspect of the boys being great instructors for how to do life well!

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6

The Way to Play

The way to play is different from one moment to the next! Each moment is alive and new to children - never a dull moment. For Isaiah, it can be picking up his drum sticks and laying out a stellar drum beat on some empty Huggies boxes! Jeremiah, on the other hand, is all about getting around on all fours - doing 360's and backing himself up into tight places! No matter what the choice of the hour is, they find great joy and pride in doing the best job possible at simply being.

What a lesson I gain from enjoying them simply being. They do it so well. And God is glorified as they grow and develop and explore.

May the LORD continue to give me grace to allow them to simply be Isaiah and Jeremiah. May He give me grace to simply be me...and simply be with Him, resting in His care as I boldly and courageously live for Him, through Him, and in Him. May He give me wisdom to know how to guide the boys. May He give me strength to keep up with them!

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1

Loud Declarations!

I listen to the rain coming down and recall how I was awe-struck at the colors and formations of the clouds as they prepared to release the rain upon the earth. There was a tint to each yellow, white, gray, and blue that made for it to look like a sky that I had never seen before. In my heart, I could hear the psalmist reciting, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day and night they poor forth speak" (Psalm 19).

Only moments before gazing at the sky, I was gazing at the boys. Isaiah was discovering the grooves he could make in the sand, volleyball court with his lawn mower. Jeremiah was looking around as he enjoyed every drop of his delicious milk. Earlier in the day, Isaiah was laying next to Jeremiah, as they played with some cars and trains on the living room floor. They would lovingly look at one another and then continue on with their creative explorations.

Thinking about each declaration, I boldly and gladly surrender to the multiple ways in which God displays His glory...we simply need to be willing to see through the eyes of our souls and in turn unlock each miracle that God puts on display, every moment we take in a new breath.

A Prayer for the Children

"Abba, Father, as I look at the boys, I am reminded of all the other children in the world. Thank You for Your amazing creation of babies and kid!. Thank you for ordaining praise out of their mouths - their innocence and purity glorifies Your name. Hallelujah. I praise You and declare You as Maker, Orchestrator, and Designer. You are perfect, LORD, at what You do! Over each child, I ask that You protect them from the schemes of the Enemy. Crush the plans of Satan over their lives. Provide people to rise up and stand up for them. Give them wisdom and discernment at a young age. Bless them with Your favor and love. Make Your face shine upon them and give them peace. Where there is pain and illness, bring healing. Where there is fear, bring courage and confidence. Where there is brokenness, bring mending and binding. Where there is bitterness, bring the softening rains of Your presence. Give them each a hug from Your Almighty arms. Let them know - truly know - that You are God and that You are always for them. Breakthrough with Truth and Light. Make Yourself known. Put a desire in their hearts to know You and spend time with You - an unquenchable hunger and thirst for Your Word. Let the praises rise up in their hearts - may singing and dancing always grace their mouths and feet. Reveal Yourself, Jesus, as their Refuge and Strength. Establish each child in Your Everlasting Love."

Family Dynamics

The dynamics of family are wonderful - and sometimes full of trials. Each person brings something to the mix. Some days, one of us may be feeling sick. Other days, one of us may be feeling excited. While other days, one of us may be feeling overwhelmed.

No matter what each of us is going through or what is happening around us, we must remain unified in righteousness - rooted and grounded in Love. The things that matter are often times the hardest to produce. Such as honesty - it roles off the tongue quite easy, however, it takes trust and courage to be honest. And when I say honest, I mean the humble and loving kind. Not the "I am right and everyone needs to be set right." 

Being quick to listen and slow to speak - that's another hard one. Love in a family means that we take an interest in hearing about how each of us is doing/feeling. We take the time to ask questions and truly listen - no matter what needs to be said. It also means that there is an understanding of how much time there is and the sharing of that time - properly distributing time is valuable - recognizing that some are verbal processors and others are internal processors. 

Supporting each other is key. No one gets left out or left behind. We are a team, and in order to overcome and do well, we need each other. Only by God's grace will that be achieved.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12

Teething

Teething is said to be one of the most painful things we go through in life. That said, how do we make it bearable for the little ones when it happens?

Ideas:
1. Refrigerated Teething rings
2. Orajel
3. Tylenol
4. Comforting hugs and the holding arms of a loved one
5. Sucking on an Icy (left in the package)
6. Distracting with something fun - a BIG one for my kids is playing in the water (tub time or the pool or water toys for the lawn) or simply being outside (they do not even have to be playing - just step out the door and their whole demeanor changes!)

 Hallelujah through the pain - Jeremiah has his first tooth! May this be just the beginning of his growth, not only in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual.

"In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5

Eyes to See

The human eye can see objects and colors and shapes and sizes. It sees facial expressions and body language. It observes the interactions of man. It scans landscapes, city life, and entertainment.

I often look at Isaiah and Jeremiah as they look through the eyes that God gave them. How are they seeing the same things that I am seeing? What parts of certain shapes and colors do they notice more than others? How are they interpreting the dynamics of conversation happening between me and Edy (my wonderful, amazing husband - their proud daddy)?

 I not only want them to be able to recognize what is easily recognizable, but I want them to see past things - to see beyond what lies before them - to see through things.

In essence, I want them to have discernment, wisdom, and understanding. To merely say what something is - that is only part of the process of seeing. To truly see, one must have those three, important pieces deeply rooted in the foundations of the mind and heart and spirit.
"By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck." Proverbs 3

Intricate Details

Oh the wonders of what God has made! From the tiny details of the branches on a tree... 

to the details on a child's face...

to the details of a captivated baby...

God has made all things well!

"O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all."Psalm 104

Universal Smile

It is true that the smile transcends any language! Being in Miami, we encounter many people who only speak Spanish, some who speak Spanish with a small amount of English, and others who speak something completely different. What I have noticed, though, is how the smile is understood by all.

In Minnesota, there is a term often used called "Minnesota Nice." Meaning, that no matter where you go or who you come across or who you pass by, you will always be greeted because it is the nice thing to do. It is very true. I have been greeted less down in Miami than I ever was in Minnesota. That does not mean that people are less pleasant or kind or gracious here; it simply means that, once again, the culture is different. And different is not bad, it is merely different.

So, bring on the smiles! We will continue bridging the language barriers with a smile.

"May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace." Numbers 6

When You Just Don't Know

There are days when you just don't know what to do about challenges and hardships. Today is one of those days for me.

Just as Isaiah laid down in the grass, I felt the same way in my heart. I was laying down inside of my mind, inside of my heart, and throwing in the towel.

The work is too hard, too long...I need a rest, a break.

I would much rather have it all figured out and ironed out; I would rather be past one specific problem than have to face it every day. "I can't do this. I can't do this, God." That was what I was saying, through tears, today.

As I took a walk with the boys, I sang the song "Change My Heart Oh God," because I know that part of the problem is mine. My heart and mind and spirit are in desperate need of the Living God - of the Holy Spirit to come and fill me up more and more. I need less of the selfishness and more of selflessness; I need less of pride and more of humility.

When I come up against my challenges, I want to be able to say - whole hearted - "Father forgive them they don't know what they are doing," "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," "I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned..." I want more of Christ in me - the Hope of Glory.
Have Your way, God - let that be my heart's cry as I endure through the rest of this day and the days to come.

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62

Roots

ROOT: THE SOURCE OR ORIGIN OF A THING

Developing the 'source' of who Isaiah and Jeremiah are is a humbling and daunting task, when I think about it. How they will learn to think, what they will choose to think upon, what they will desire to do with their time, who they will speak, where they will go, who they will be around, how they will respond to evil when it comes their way, how they will speak when spoken to -these are all things at the 'root' of who they are. 

What exactly are those parts of who they are that need to be cultivated? I think upon the list of things that the Apostle Paul used when he referred to the Spirit of God: "But the fruit [root] of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering/patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5

How do I go about helping them refine those 'roots'? As simple as it may sound and as easy as it may sound, it happens moment by moment - often in the littlest moment or the passing moments. I find myself using my own refinement as an aid to help me help them. Such as - if I am praying something internally, I now practice doing it out-loud so that they can hear. If I am reading the Bible, I read it in their presence - they have a children's version that we read before their naps and before bedtime. When a time-out is given, we pray through it, asking Jesus for grace to obey. When it is time to worship and praise, all of the instruments come out, the music is turned up, and we all do it together.

Opportunities of instructing and training are constant throughout each day; opportunities to practice loving and being loved are constant throughout each day. Their growth is happening in leaps and bounds - much of it will still take repetition and patience to cultivate, but it will all eventually surface. And by God's grace and mercy, the fruit of the Spirit will rise up in and through them.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1

Okay With the Dirt

Isaiah is very interested in playing in the dirt, these days. He loves the rocks and the tools and messiness of it all combined. "Mama, come." This is what he says to me as I sit near-by in a chair. He looks at me, says "Mama come," while pointing to a spot right next to him on the patio floor! Being with him means, literally, being as close as possible in proximity to him in what he is doing.

Getting down to where he is, stopping what I am doing, and learning how to play again is helping me with humility. There are so many times when I am teaching the boys, that I realize they are teaching me. Many times I hear my own voice coming right back at me when it initially was meant for the boys to hear. "Ask Jesus to give you grace to obey." "I did not say no. I simply said yes with a wait attached." "You can trust me." "Say 'I am loved,' 'I am blessed.'" "You are doing a great job." "Love does not hurt. It is patient. It is not rude." "Acknowledge someone when they are speaking to you." Oh to be humbled by those that you would not expect it to come from.

Children are a blessing because they ruin all the parts of you that have been exalting themselves. God is gracious to bring me to my knees in such a sweetly, packaged way: Isaiah and Jeremiah!

Hallelujah for being okay with the dirt - for being okay with being brought low...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:8-13

1 Foot After Another

This is one of those mornings that I would rather swim in my coffee (more like fall asleep on a comfy floaty inside my cup of coffee)! As long as possible, I lingered in bed (with one eye open and the other closed) while the boys amused themselves with blankets and pillows. As soon as possible, I grabbed the coffee pot and poured myself a welcoming mug full of the stuff - juice of the bean (we drink so much juice in our home that one day that's how I called it when Isaiah asked what it was).

I would much rather wave good-bye to the idea of being awake and engaged. Today, I need grace - much grace - to want what God has for me this day - to want what God has for my family today.

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." Psalm 143

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4

LORD, as I struggle with life today, I pray for those that will be reading this post who are experiencing similar emotions. Give me grace to endure; give them grace to endure. Give me fresh vision to press on; give them fresh vision to press on. I ask for eyes to see and ears to hear what you are doing this day, Abba Father. Holy Spirit come. Fill me; fill them. Jesus, in your name, amen.

Revived

The boys were immunized today. The needle pierced through, the tears came, and the comforting arms embraced each fear away. Their health is ultimately revived due to being immunized; the health of the whole is revived because of immunization.

How do I explain that what they are receiving is a good thing - that it is a gift? How do I tell them that the pain is part of the package - a good package? How do I help them think of their shots as something to turn towards and see, rather than, shrink away from and reject?

As I pondered these thoughts, the LORD brought to mind how I have been brought through similar things in the spiritual sense. I often have gone down through the valley, in life, to then be brought back up to the mountain top. Challenges have been given to me (freely allowed by my Heavenly Father) that initially bring pain - like the pain of a needle - and in turn produce health to my mind, heart, and spirit. Challenges build my character. Challenges cause me to be revived and in a way, immunized, against the many punches and blows that any given day can produce.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5

Just Another Day???

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped." Psalm 28:7

Today, my soul needs speaking to. It needs to be reminded and exhorted: The LORD is your strength, oh my soul. He is your hope, vision, and stay, oh my soul. Lift up your eyes, oh my soul, to the hills where your Help comes from. Take courage. Find new strength, my soul, in the LORD.

The boys need to be covered in prayer. My husband needs to be covered in prayer. The rest of my beautiful family - two beautiful young women - needs covering.

And so, LORD, Most High, I come and bring myself to you. I bring my family to you. I ask you to be my strength in my weakness. In my weakness, today, I bring myself. I surrender and confess my impatience and irritability and frustrations. Come, LORD, come. Holy Spirit, come and fill me. Be my family's shield. Be our Helper.

Blessed are the Merciful

My Minnesota family/friends are telling me of the snow that has already begun to fall - winter has arrived early for them! As hard as the snow is to endure, day after day, it is not as much the snow as it is the cold. The snow is beautiful as it falls to the ground; It is beautiful as it crunches beneath your feet; It is beautiful when your ski's are paving their way through it on a cold, hillside. The cold, on the other hand, leaves you wanting to put more layers on when you already have three on. Anymore layers than that and you begin looking like a walking cotton ball!

One of my favorite times of enjoying the snow is when I can snuggle up on a couch, in perfect view of each flake slowly falling down upon the tree branches. In hand, I either have a cup of coffee or a cup of hot chocolate - occasionally it might be hot apple cider. If I have a choice, I will always add a fire place to the environment too!

Of course, down in Miami, I am not experiencing any of that, but hallelujah for a good memory - MANY memories to choose from. And I can think of the snow and relate it to how I am feeling today as I endure through Christ's exhortation to be merciful. "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

Just as the snow can create a blanket effect, so can the mercy extended to a fellow neighbor. Mercy is like a blanket given to a cold-hearted/bitter neighbor, a neighbor either far into sin or simply slipping up at the moment, a neighbor who is hurting only because of life kicking them around - no matter what the situation, mercy is that blanket that soothes that need in the heart and mind and spirit. And it can be easy to give or it can be really hard. Today, I am having a hard time extending that mercy because it is to someone who has been cruel to me - a cruelness that never received a resolve on their part. I am still having to speak out forgiveness when I am tempted to hold a grudge. So, through tears at times, God is giving me grace to extend the mercy needed - the same mercy that I constantly am receiving from my LORD and Savior. How can I not do the same...

Where is the Thorn Found?

Where is the thorn found except next to something absolutely breath-taking. There is beauty that accompanies a thorn. A thorn is upstaged by the petals of a majestic rose (I recognize there are other places in the plant world where thorns are found - for now I am merely singling out a rose's thorn). I wonder if God thought about the parallels that thorns would have when it came to our lives. Did He think of the thorn and then think of pain? Or did He think of the thorn as beautiful?

A beautiful thorn...is it possible? Is it possible for something that causes pain to be beautiful? Is it possible to handle a thorn without being hurt? Yes, I think that once one learns what a thorn is and how to recognize what it will do, that then it is possible to not be hurt by them.

I think of a professional gardener - someone who is constantly around plants and flowers and bushes...I am picturing hands with callouses and scares and dirt under the nails. Though, after a while, I am sure gloves are used on those professional hands. At first, was there such eagerness and pride to think that those gloves were not needed?

I think of myself...How eager I have been in life, at times...My pride has often come before a fall.

Hallelujah that God has been there every time to pick me up and show me the way through. He has shown me how to move on - one moment at a time, sometimes.

Recently, I was reminded of the words of Paul, the apostle: "Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

I have something/someone in my life right now that is my thorn, and the LORD was exhorting me to embrace this time as refinement needed to my flesh. There are days coming when it will be even more intense, and I need the equipping to be prepared. My flesh is weak and in need of this "thorn" to pierce it. To me the "thorn" is piercing the parts of me that want to be accepted and liked - the approval of man is strong in me. Christ was never about the approval of man; He was all about His Father's opinion - His and His alone: "Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God." (John 5:41-44)

To be rejected by someone you see everyday hurts. To be cursed at and thought of with evil intent is rough. There is no part of enduring through hardship that I enjoy. Hallelujah that God is giving me eyes to see eternally.

Hallelujah for a thorn that is causing my selfishness - my flesh - to bow its knee to the LORD.

More About Them; Less About Me

More about them and less about me. That is just how it works. If something needs to increase, something else has to decrease.

When Isaiah was growing inside of me, I had less and less of me and more and more of him. My body was less and less my own, and more and more of him. My organs and bones literally had to make room for him! Now that is intense - my internal organs and parts shifting out of their original spots - positions that each part has known for so many years. WHAT! Hallelujah for God's amazing miracle in child rearing...

I summed up my pregnancy with Isaiah in these words: "It is the most beautiful way of becoming less selfish."

Hallelujah that God does not leave us as we are. He promises to come along side of me (and you) and help me through each time of refinement - refinement with the purpose of bringing glory to his name and bringing me closer to him (He being perfect, much like a lazer beam used in surgeries these days, must have us be in the same likeness in order to stand anywhere close to Him - light meeting with light does not need to adjust much because it is in the same likeness.).

As the days have continued to progress through motherhood (and marriage and many other areas of life), I have had on-going moments of being beautified in the service of these boys - men of God in small packages. Some days I seem to surrender much easier to the demands that each moment can bring (and with two children, it seems like the punches to my flesh have so much more force behind them!). Other moments I need to give myself a time-out!!! When my patience has been stretched past its breaking point, I can be insensitive and rude - ouch! Those days, I can end up asking the boys for forgiveness at least three times, if not more. Hallelujah for grace and mercy reigning in a family.

Refreshment in Friends

My family and I had the privilege of having a friend from Minnesota visiting with us for the past few days. Not only was she a refreshment to have with us, but also who and what she represents for us - MN. Anytime we have had visitors from MN, it always adds that extra hug of joy to our hearts. In some ways, one may say it is a two-fold gift.

Representation is a big deal. Just as a friend may represent a group of people or a place may represent a person or a child may represent a parent or a parent may represent a child - so our LORD and Shepherd is represented by those who are disciples.

Often, I am humbled by how my interaction with the boys is a representation of how the LORD interacts with me. How I speak with the boys is how they will see the LORD speaking to them. How I respond to them, how I love on them, how I pay attention to them, how I discipline them...all of it is a representation to them of who the LORD is. This will continue for some time until they have their own firmly grounded relationship with the LORD.

The boys are looking to me to lead them, guide them, teach them, protect them, provide for them, and so on and so forth; I am looking to the LORD to be those things for me and my family.

		Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
		He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
		Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
		You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
		Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,  And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."