Christmas is Coming

Don't cry now - you're only 3 days away from the jackpot!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

Anticipation

Listen! Can you hear the angel tell her, all those years ago, that HE is coming? She stilled her heart and she believed that truly, "Nothing is impossible with God."

Now here we are. Waiting. Our ears tuned to hear the sound of His arrival. Our hearts filled with joy at His promise. Our Jesse tree sits ready, blessing us daily with another chance to celebrate what is soon to come.

Even these, the small ones... they feel it. They ask for the next story. They listen and know that it is as God said. He came to this earth for them!

From the beginning of time He was coming! My God always had a plan to save me from myself. A sweet, tiny babe. My hope. My freedom. My heart is full of joy!

And We're Off

Genuine smiles as we sit in the Wichita airport awaiting the beginning of our Argentinian adventure.

In just a few short weeks, God has slowly taken me out of that state of ridiculous bouts of sobbing in my vehicle while my children wait, too nervous to say anything because Mommy is acting a little, well, crazy. He's replaced that silly ball of nerves with the peace that only He can provide, because I am finding rest in Him alone. So when those other thoughts creep in, I am refreshing with His word, where I should have been resting all along.

Because truly, O Lord, "your love is better than life, [so] my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

Here's to a great journey with my God, my beloved husband, and the people of Argentina! (Meanwhile, our kiddos are making sweet memories all their own). I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Eat Your Heart Out, Axle Rose

Here

It has happened, right here in this house. This house. The one that was built in 1957. The one that seemed 2 sizes too small when we moved in with only one child, and now we have 3. This house - the one that is not too pretty or fun to show off. This house that we can only invite one or two families into at a time for lack of space.

Yes, even here, it has happened. At first I didn’t realize, the changing, the moving of my heart that was God. As thankfulness after thankfulness arose from my soul, from my lips, He found me there. And He oh so faithfully brought me here.

So full of gratitude, this heart of mine. Gratitude for close quarters that demand extra lessons in what it means to truly love. God’s gift of chances to teach those sweet young ones of His grace. Many moments sharing giggles that never would have been if two rooms separated ornery boys. My thanksgiving, it soars for lessons in necessaries… there are so many things not needed.

Perhaps one day He will lead us out of this house and into another. Perhaps. Content to be here until then, and blessed beyond measure, am I.

Oh, how He loves us!

One of These Things Is Too Much Like the Other

If you are a dear, loyal friend who has rejected my past claims of increasing ditzyness since having children, and the fact that I'm losing my memory faster than an 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer's, doubt no longer.

It truly is a marvel that my children's limbs are all intact and our house hasn't burnt down. Yet.

I Realize Super-Mom Never Cries. And I Don’t Care.

It’s true. These three sweet ones, they hold my very heart in their sticky little hands. Funny how that happens. One day you’re walking around this world with not much of a care in the world, and then you have a baby three babies. You look at them and you can hardly even breathe for how much you love them.

They are the reason I was in my van after church this evening, sobbing my eyes out as my husband patiently waited for me to gain control so he could go back in the building to his meeting. Poor guy.

In another month our church is sending the hubs and I thousands of miles away to Buenos Aires, Argentina. For 9-ish days, they will be here, and we will be there.

As I blubbered like a maniac tonight I told Ben that I knew I wasn’t calling on the power of God to help me overcome my fears. So that begs the question, “WHY NOT?!” Fair question. While driving home I talked with God and He asked me the same thing. I’m sure He wanted to say, “Stop being such a baby and remember that I love them more than you.” But He didn’t. He just let me talk; He listened to my fears and worries and sorrows until I talked myself right back into His truths. He is just so good at doing that, my God.

He brought me back to solid ground. Peace flooded that wild heart of mine that wants so badly to stray, thinking it can take control. I’d like to say this won’t happen 50 more times again before we leave, but I can’t promise anything. I’m a mom, and even this insanely emotional heart of mine is straight from the Lord. But when it does happen, in His complete patience, He will remind me yet again that He loves them more. And He is in control. Because He does, and He is.

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Just Like Brother

At only 13 months Seth already loves books.  He is learning well from big brother (and sister).  Now if only we could teach him that yelling and hitting are less-than-ideal qualities to emulate. 

If My Children Had Their Own TV Shows

So You Think You Can Dance Ballet and Play Soccer At the Same Time:

Toddlers and Guitaras:

Snaggle Tooth Rock:

Wichita Ink

Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Christ has indeed set my heart free. So free that I felt the need to allow this to happen to my shoulder blade today.

The only One who was able to take the mess of what I was, and turn it into what I now am, and leave me feeling absolutely free and unburdened by my past in the process, deserved some recognition.

Ok I'll admit it. I'm the biggest baby you’ve possibly ever met when it comes to pain slightly chicken. I never would've done this if it weren't for this awesome lady. So thankful for my partner-in-crime beloved sister-in-Christ who was willing to make such a special memory with me today!