tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22370693921982459852024-03-05T20:52:12.417-08:00MommyhoodAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-26559882019167189412016-05-02T13:06:00.000-07:002016-05-02T13:26:04.353-07:00Lessons from The Fire: 1 year later<div class="MsoNormal">
On May 1<sup>st</sup>, Joe was gone for an all-night youth
group event. I never enjoy it when Joe is away overnight, but that night I was
extra uneasy. I laid awake for hours; unable to go to sleep with a heightened
sense of fear. So to calm myself down, I started quoting scripture. The very
last passage that I remember quoting was Psalm 23. “<i>The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in
green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. <b>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil, for you are with me; </b>your rod and your staff they comfort me…surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.”</i> I didn’t know it then, but God was
preparing my heart for the trial that lay ahead. I was about walk through the
valley, but he gave me the promise that He would walk through it with me. It
was with a peace-filled heart that I fell asleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not even 2 hours later, I woke up to a very faint beeping
sound and Evelyn’s cries coming from the baby monitor. “Why is she crying now?
What is that beeping?” Confused and disoriented, I made my way downstairs.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I knew that something was wrong. I had
figured out that it was the fire alarm that was going off, and I could see a
bright light shining through the opening of the bedroom door. I ran into the
room and took in a scene that will stick with me for the rest of my life. There
was a fire burning in the middle of a box fan and smoke was filling the room.
And in the middle of it all, not even a foot away from the flame, lay our
precious baby girl, screaming in fear. I snatched her up and ran back to our
room as quickly as I could. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After calling Joe and making sure Evelyn was ok, I ran back
down to the bedroom with a fire extinguisher. I tried to pull the pin so that I
could put out the fire, but the pin would not budge. By that point, the smoke
was getting so thick that I could hardly see or breathe. It was in that moment
that I knew our lives would never be the same. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before you have a fire, you think about what you would try
to save before you would leave the house. I had always planned on taking the
home videos, pictures, a few special family items, and my wedding dress. But
when the moment actually happened, all I cared about saving was our children. I
know the Lord was with me that night as I calmly picked up Evelyn, woke up a
very sleepy Fletcher and Sophie, and got as far away from the house as
possible. I never had a thought of grabbing keys, coats, or even shoes. All I
wanted was to get our babies out safely. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we waited for Joe and the firemen to come, I desperately
wanted to quote scripture to the kids as they sat next to me, cold and scared.
I have memorized hundreds of verses in my life, but in that moment, I couldn’t
think of a single one. I tried racking my brain for a comforting verse, but in
my traumatized state, nothing came. Finally, a verse that had been reiterated
in my head for so long that it had nearly lost its meaning overflowed out of my
heart with a beautiful freshness. “<i>Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me…surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” </i> Christ, my Good Shepherd, had been with me every
step I took that night, and he was not going to leave us in the days ahead. And
just like a police officer hunts down a criminal, God’s never stopping, never
giving up, always and forever love was chasing us down, lavishing undeserved grace
on his children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day, my body went into a post-traumatic state.
I felt as stiff as a board, unable to relax. Any time I thought about the fire,
I had to tell myself to breathe. I would try to rest, but all I could hear were
alarms going off and Evelyn’s cries coming from the monitor, even though she
was fast asleep next to me. I was terrified of going to sleep for fear of
waking up to flames. My thoughts were in a constant state of the possibilities
of what could have happened instead of what did. My mind was so much in that
state, that my reality had become losing Evelyn to the fire, even though God
had miraculously spared her. So while I was holding her in my arms, I was
mourning her death at the same time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I realized where my mind was living, I had to force myself
to think on what was true. Truth was that God had woken me to a quiet alarm
sound, a woman who normally sleeps through thunderstorms and ringing phones.
Truth was that even though Fletcher and Sophie, who had never been close to the
flames, reeked of smoke, while Evelyn, who had been surrounded by the smoke,
smelled as if she had just gotten out of the bath tub. Truth was that God had
given me peace and a sound mind so that I could make wise decisions to get our
little family to safety. Truth was that God had shown Himself to be a mighty
rescuer. When I chose to meditate on what was true rather than making the
what-ifs my alternate reality, fear and anxiety were replaced by joy and peace.
God deserved all of the glory for what had happened. He was the one who had said
“yes!” to life, and my fear was robbing Him of the glory that He deserved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, God continued to lavish us with grace through the love
of His saints. You, God's people, wonderfully overwhelmed us with
clothes, groceries, meals, clothes, phone calls, visits, clothes, money, gift
cards, and did I mention clothes?! You wept with us and got down on your knees
for us. I would later find out that the first night after the fire, God had
woken up women in the church in the middle of the night, burdening them to pray
for us. As I heard the different accounts, I realized that at least one woman
was praying for us every hour all throughout the night. God had set up a prayer
warrior night watch on our behalf!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will never be able to adequately thank everyone for all
that you have done for us. You have rejoiced with us in our greatest blessings,
and now you have come alongside us to weep with us. It has meant more to us
than we could ever express. I am confident that someday when you throw your
crowns at Christ’s feet, you will ask, “Lord, when did we give you toys, or
wash your garbage bags of filthy laundry, or make you meals?” He will answer,
“When you did it for the Groppels, the least of my children, you did it for
me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the past few years, I have made it my goal to read
through the bible in a year. In the chronological plan that I use, the month of
May (the month of the fire) is spent reading the Psalms. I see this as another
gift from the Lord. The fire could have taken place during any month of the
year, but God sovereignly allowed it to happen in the time that I was in a
beautiful book about the power, majesty, and splendor of God. I experienced a
sweet fellowship that I have never known before as I was saturated with these
truths. I <i>needed</i> to be in God’s Word.
It was my source of comfort and strength when I was at my weakest. It truly is
sweet to walk with Christ in the valley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The physical item that has been the hardest thing for me to
lose is our home family videos. We had been given a fireproof box last
Christmas, but I had just never taken the time to put anything in it. So
instead of our memories being placed in that box, I had put them on a shelf
right above the box fan where the fire had started. There have been many times when
my foolishness has tempted me to nearly scream out of frustration. But each
time, Joe lovingly encouraged me, “Becky, God just didn’t want us to have
them.” That was exactly what my heart needed to hear. God is always sovereignly
bringing about his plan, and the loss of our home videos was no different. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had never understood the apostle Peter’s statement, “Lord
I believe. Help my unbelief!” But through this trial, I learned exactly what it
meant. I believed that God was good, He was always with me, and that everything
He did was for my Christ-likeness. But as I waded through piles of burned
clothing, I didn’t believe that God was good. When I begged Joe to look just
one more time for the lost home videos, it didn’t feel like God was with me.
So, I pleaded, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” And although it is still a
constant struggle, he has been faithful to answer that prayer. I will never
again watch videos of Joe and I bringing our precious babies home from the
hospital or seeing them eat their first birthday cake. But even if I don’t ever
understand it, God knows that I can be more like Christ without those videos
(and everything else that we lost) than I ever could be with them safely placed
in a fireproof box. It may not every make earthly sense, but He loves me too
much to let that happen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the weeks passed, I began to feel very homesick. 3 times a
week we would pass the parsonage on our way to church. As we drove by, I would look
through the windows. The couches were still there, the girls’ bows were still hanging
on the wall, but everything we had owned was now completely unusable. I could
see my home, but I couldn’t enjoy it with my family. I longed for a place to
call home, but there was no way for that to happen. It was then that I finally recalled
the last part of Psalm 23. “<i>I will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.” </i>I realized that the very thing that my
heart was longing for was already mine. Christ had paid for my home, a perfect,
un-burnable one, with his very own blood. I might not have had a home on this
earth, but Christ had already purchased one for me where I could intimately
know and enjoy Him forever. Christ is better than a house made of brick. A
house on earth could never satisfy the deepest longing of my heart. Only my
Savior could do that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though I have experienced losing it all, through it I
gained much. I have learned that my deceitful heart is prone to doubt God during
times of trial. It is easy for me to
trust God when I am living in comfort, ease, and happiness. But my trust
quickly turns to anger when He brings about pain.<b> </b> Again, I have to pray constantly
that God will help me believe what I know to be true: loss is gain, brokenness
is healing, and God shines brighter in the darkness. His grace is sufficient to
help me choose trust rather than doubt. Trust will always be the more
joy-filled option. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have learned to think with a more eternal, Kingdom mindset.
Physical things can be taken away in an instant, but souls will last forever. I
can either spend my life gathering and loving stuff, or I can invest in the
lives of others. I can either worship my things, or I can worship the God who
gave me those things to enjoy and point back to Himself. I have learned that no
one is promised tomorrow. We never know how long we will have here on earth or
how long we will have with our children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have learned the importance of enjoying every day that He
gives me with my family and to use it for His glory. It used to be such a
bittersweet time for me as our children grew out of one adorable stage and
began an equally adorable, but more grown up one. But the fire changed everything.
Now, I am able to thank God for the stage we just enjoyed, and praise Him for
letting us watch the next one happen. What a gift!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days after the fire, Fletcher said to me, “Mommy, God
gave us the fire so that we would know that He is great.” What a blessing our
little boy has been to his weary mommy! His child-like faith was able to look
beyond the circumstances and see the God who orchestrated them all. It has been
my prayer that my heart would echo both Fletcher and King David who said “Let
those who love your salvation say, ‘God is great!’”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish I could stand before you and say that I went through
this trial with a complete trust in God and with fullness of joy. But I cannot.
I have struggled my way through it all, constantly fighting for joy and a peace
that passes all understanding. But what I <i>can</i>
tell you is that when I was faithless, my God remained faithful. And before He
ever formed time and space, he looked beyond my shaking fist aimed right at
him. Instead of punishing me like I deserved, he chose to love me anyway
because of the beautiful sacrifice His Son made on the cross, paying for my
rebellion in my place. And for that I am thankful.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-78647154446984775752013-10-14T13:11:00.000-07:002013-10-14T13:11:23.848-07:00"Mommy, What's for Dinner?"For the past several months, Joe has been wanting to take me to a new pizza place he discovered. Unfortunately, whenever we get the rare chance to have a date night, we are not quite in the mood for that type of cuisine. This is because our motto is quickly becoming, "When life gets crazy, we eat pizza!" Let me explain...<br />
<br />
Our days are chaotic. Even as I write, my kitchen is in dire need of sweeping due to the phenomenon of more cereal ending up on the floor than what was originally in my children's bowls before breakfast started. Our little people need to be clothed, fed, washed, entertained, educated, and basically kept alive on an hourly basis. Joe and I have filled-up calendars and to-do lists stacked so high it could rival that of a highly suspenseful Jenga game. So as dinner time quickly approaches, the easiest thing for me to do is throw that Italian pie in the oven and call it a day.<br />
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A midst this wild, pizza-eating season of life, Joe and I have been meditating on Psalm 23:6.<br />
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"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,</div>
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and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."</div>
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This is a verse I have known nearly my whole life but never really grasped its meaning until recently. The word "follow" can also be translated as "to pursue" or "to chase down." We moms know this kind of pursual:</div>
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It's the feeling you get when you try to sneak off to the bathroom for just one moment of privacy. It isn't very long before you hear little feet pounding down the hallway at an alarming rate and see tiny hands scraping the floor underneath the closed door in a desperate attempt to get to you. They will stop at nothing until they once again have you at an adorably chubby arm's length (or even closer, in most cases).</div>
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What is it that is following us in this persistent, determined, relentless way? It is the faithful loving-kindness of our Savior. <i>The Jesus Storybook Bible </i>defines this kind of love as the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love." What a beautiful description of the favor that God has for those who have placed their hope in Him!</div>
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So when you and I are digging blue play-dough out of the carpet, God's loving-kindness is chasing us down. When we're sitting in front of a mountain of laundry and we'd rather be at the park with our kids, God's goodness won't stop coming after us until it finds us. When that "spill proof" sippy cup decides to pour out all of its contents during a long doctor's appointment, God's faithful love is hotly pursuing us. And when we forget about the church pot luck lunch until 11:00 on Saturday night, the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love" will be right by our side.<br />
<br />
Joe and I are seeking ways to make our life more simple. In the meantime, life is hectic. We're eating a<i> lot</i> of pizza. But we're thankful for each day He gives us to be with our family and church, resting in God's faithful loving-kindness he has graciously lavished on us. I'll take that over a fast, cheap, pepperoni thin crust any day!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-55261493148611170462013-07-30T14:04:00.000-07:002013-07-30T15:08:17.864-07:00Reckless Abandonment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ay00tKYfzd-nCn6mRYZEdqWGK1EO3EVU_o88jWUXbYfuy7OV8fjuzgywjrG4EIVJr9-kc7XQQpTjMrVHmwgo-Ok-iXlzpEsF9B92W6Zyk-0zmnqyLAl__htscT475kBoeEHan1DLlY/s1600/The+Phelps+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ay00tKYfzd-nCn6mRYZEdqWGK1EO3EVU_o88jWUXbYfuy7OV8fjuzgywjrG4EIVJr9-kc7XQQpTjMrVHmwgo-Ok-iXlzpEsF9B92W6Zyk-0zmnqyLAl__htscT475kBoeEHan1DLlY/s320/The+Phelps+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, July 27, a bus filled with excited young people and youth sponsors from Colonial Hills Baptist Church were heading home from a week of camp. Less than 2 miles from their church, the bus lost control and ran into a median. This deadly collision claimed the lives of a mother of 5 (Tonya Weindorf), the church's youth pastor (Chad Phelps), his wife (Courtney), and their unborn baby girl. Chad and Courtney left behind their precious son who will turn 2 in October.<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Being a young pastor's wife and mother of little ones, this tragedy has hit very close to my heart. I have been reminded that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Not even young wives. Not even mommies. Every day is a gracious gift from God. This gift should be received with a spirit of thankfulness and bent on using it to the fullest for His glory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In January of 2013, just six months before he would take his last breath, Chad Phelps wrote this powerful statement on his blog: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>"Will you pray with us in regards to this summer? Start praying even now.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Pray that God will revive our youth group and give us a passion to live for Jesus</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>and follow Him with <b>reckless abandonment.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>That's how we believe He wants us to live. Pray that we will seek to find our</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>satisfaction this summer in Him and Him alone, not in any of the cheap thrills </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>that the </i></span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">world has to offer."</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Our lives are short. I ought to use the days I am given with "reckless abandonment" for Christ because I don't know when those days might end. As a follower of Jesus, I need to be willing to take risks and do hard things for Him with the goal of making a lasting impact for eternity; to lavishly spend and be spent for the sake of the gospel. I need to hold on to earthly treasures <i>very</i> loosely, remembering that every good gift is from God and ultimately belongs to Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">While we may never fully understand why this tragedy took place, we can know with certainty that God is still seated on His throne and will use this "for the good of those who love Him." He will continue to show Himself faithful and good, enabling the hearts of His people to "find our satisfaction in Him and Him alone." </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-29050817399282835442013-05-25T05:33:00.002-07:002013-05-25T05:33:49.965-07:00Happy Birthday, Sophie!<br />
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It's hard to believe, but one year ago today we held our brand new baby girl in our arms for the first time! It has been such a joy getting to know this precious baby and having the opportunity to love on her. We are so very thankful that God is allowing us to parent Sophia. She is a heritage that we do not deserve. We pray that the Lord will give us the grace to be faithful in teaching her about Christ and that she will grow up to love and serve Him with all of her heart. Daddy and Mommy love you, Baby Girl!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-75445117791294316422013-05-12T05:52:00.002-07:002013-05-12T05:52:34.197-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpiPaoN1fGRQxMymM3uim3aHDcZy2CTXr8hpH_GbCt72Qn4xbRmCQn9fXK81kdxItjUsKud3VhugV3Z1y-KMTtcPtXGvSNfe91C_4G_wJWqwd60ENRPuNS85kM7hjWGI3H2MXm2fbBxo/s1600/312977_281092021926569_100000773205476_733602_1983459184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpiPaoN1fGRQxMymM3uim3aHDcZy2CTXr8hpH_GbCt72Qn4xbRmCQn9fXK81kdxItjUsKud3VhugV3Z1y-KMTtcPtXGvSNfe91C_4G_wJWqwd60ENRPuNS85kM7hjWGI3H2MXm2fbBxo/s200/312977_281092021926569_100000773205476_733602_1983459184_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyT5yh8Im5HYbZoHogH54nRfPDIocwI7rl95A2qbFedc1Y4KzOgZoZWDZtoLMHqTlWjO4isFmXtmc-HZC7Z7JZ0Lk9I3QlMpkCxIp_-YxFvGwC709zYyx1jgKePKrgX9bHtjNLOS3uN1Q/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyT5yh8Im5HYbZoHogH54nRfPDIocwI7rl95A2qbFedc1Y4KzOgZoZWDZtoLMHqTlWjO4isFmXtmc-HZC7Z7JZ0Lk9I3QlMpkCxIp_-YxFvGwC709zYyx1jgKePKrgX9bHtjNLOS3uN1Q/s200/IMG_5493.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze time in. It is what God gave you time for."</div>
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~Rachel Jankovic</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-53845532754382294862013-05-10T12:40:00.000-07:002013-05-10T12:40:34.478-07:00The Moms of a Mom, part 2<br />
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<i>"Her children rise up and call her blessed;</i></div>
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<i>her husband also, and he praises her:</i></div>
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<i>'Many women have done excellently,</i></div>
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<i>but you surpass them all.'"</i></div>
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<i>~Proverbs 31:28-29</i><br />
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Today, I would like to honor the mom who has known be from the beginning: my "Mommy Dearest," Mary Palma. Most life skills that I possess have been handed down by my mother - playing the piano, how to <i>teach </i>someone to play the piano, the ability to ensure that a mischievous baby will stay in their jammies, and much to Mom's patience, the definition of a preposition ("Becky, Becky. Over, under, around, and through!"). </div>
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There is no one like my mom. I could go on forever about all the funny things she does, sings, or says. (In fact, she even has a friend who is documenting all her hilarious sayings!) I could spend paragraphs writing about all the care that she has lavished on me, my siblings, and now my husband and children. I could tell countless stories of all the fun we had growing up and how we have never, ever doubted her love for us. Hopefully someday I can tell you more about those things.<br />
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The picture of my mom that I have most firmly printed in my mind is that of her kneeling next to her bed in prayer. From the time that I was a very little girl, I can remember walking past her room and finding her on her knees. Every morning. Without fail. I have never met anyone who is as fervent in prayer as my mother. </div>
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What does she pray about? Well, if you have ever had a conversation with Mom that has lasted longer than 3 minutes, it is probably safe to assume that she is praying for you every day. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear her tell yet another person that she is praying for them. She loves to go before the throne of God and give requests on behalf of others. And when Mary Palma prays, mountains move! I firmly believe that babies have been born, lives have been spared, and people have come to know Christ through the faithful supplications of my mom. This spiritual discipline stems from her unwavering faith in God and His desire for her to "taste and see that [He] is good."<br />
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Thank you, Mom, for your godly example in my life. I love you so much!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-56916896114926049752013-05-08T12:45:00.000-07:002013-05-08T12:48:16.708-07:00The Moms of a Mom, part 1<br />
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<i>"Her children rise up and call her blessed;</i></div>
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<i>her husband also, and he praises her:</i></div>
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<i>'Many women have done excellently,</i></div>
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<i>but you surpass them all.'"</i></div>
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<i>~Proverbs 31:28-29</i></div>
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In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to celebrate my own mothers whom God has graciously blessed me with. I would not be the mom that I am today without the two, faithful women who have first mothered me.<br />
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To begin, I would like to praise Roberta Groppel, the woman who became my mother the moment I said "I do." If you know Roberta, you know that she has a deep love for her grandchildren, waxing her wood floors, and making scads of delicious cookies at Christmastime. As her daughter I have gained countless tips on what to do when my children are sick, the best ways to keep up with laundry, and how to make those fool-proof Christmas goodies. But the thing that I have learned most from Roberta is the meaning of a servant's heart. Anytime that there is a need, Roberta meets it. Whether it's providing food for a church function, wiping down tables, or comforting someone who is hurting, she is there to help.<br />
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She is also so faithful to help her children anytime, anywhere. Countless times I have watched her drop all of her own plans in order to help one of us. Often Roberta serves without ever being thanked or even noticed. But that's not why she does it. She serves because she loves her Savior and wants to show others that same kind of love. I am so very thankful for her godly example. (And I will forever be grateful that she raised such a great son!)<br />
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I love you, Roberta!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-29081557691511384662013-04-16T06:30:00.004-07:002013-04-16T06:32:42.553-07:00"You Will Strengthen Their Heart"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"[The wicked] sits in ambush in the villages;</div>
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in hiding places he murders the innocent.</div>
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His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;</div>
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The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.</div>
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He says in his heart, 'God has forgotten, He has hidden His face,</div>
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He will never see it.'</div>
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O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted;</div>
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You will strengthen their heart;</div>
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You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,</div>
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so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."<br />
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Psalm 10: 8, 10-11, 17-18</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-2711921034518188712013-04-12T06:11:00.001-07:002013-04-12T06:13:05.604-07:00You Know You're a Mom When:* a day is successful if you have put on make-up and kept the kids alive.<br />
* you can feed a baby, wash the dishes, and make a grocery list at the same time.<br />
* you know the meaning of braxton hicks.<br />
* every pair of pants you own has worn out knees from playing on the floor.<br />
* you have cleaned an exploded diaper out of your washing machine.<br />
* you know what day of the week kids eat free in every restaurant within a 30 mile radius.<br />
* you look up anytime you hear the word "mommy."<br />
* the kids resale shop owner knows you and your children by name.<br />
* you can talk for hours on the topic of spit up.<br />
* you measure time by how many Sesame Street episodes could be watched.<br />
* when you are away from your children, they are never far away from your thoughts.<br />
* a sparkly or colorful sticker is frequently found on the back of your leg.<br />
* poison control is on your speed dial.<br />
* 90% of the mirrors in your home display at least one tiny hand print or lip smear.<br />
* you seriously consider admitting yourself into the loony bin on a weekly basis.<br />
* you have ripped your house apart in a panicked frenzy looking for a dearly beloved race car<br />
(or any other toy of the $5 variety)<br />
* you love your little ones so much your heart could burst.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-36792626333272130852013-04-08T18:12:00.000-07:002013-04-08T18:15:08.207-07:00Procrastinators Unite . . . Tomorrow!Do you have a dreaded project or unwanted household chores to attend to? Do you ever, like myself, put off for tomorrow what you should be doing today? Be encouraged by this wise counsel from Alexander MacLaren:<br />
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<i>No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them of till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-86039501248732359192013-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:002013-03-25T11:32:44.551-07:00Celebrating EasterAt our house we love to talk about the Resurrection. If you ask Fletcher if Jesus is still dead, he will start to laugh and joyfully shout, "No! He's alive!" Then he will proceed to sing <i>My Jesus is Alive...</i> it's so sweet! So you can imagine how excited we are that Easter, the holiday remembering Christ's conquering work over death, is upon us. Here are some of the ideas that we have in store to celebrate the week:<br />
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<b>The Jesus Story Book Bible</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6mchdUXgwVh-EeSf9tOKLc7vF46qh27DZUl0O1OPEtd6aTN9djjpUNXjk6vwx212V2yoQBPva5UGAliTW2ENXWSxlHBO0vCnyLUsHp7DMVXq3PjNU5uVE3Jr3rtwxVc-zAoUWFhoXLc/s1600/Jesus+Storybook+Bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6mchdUXgwVh-EeSf9tOKLc7vF46qh27DZUl0O1OPEtd6aTN9djjpUNXjk6vwx212V2yoQBPva5UGAliTW2ENXWSxlHBO0vCnyLUsHp7DMVXq3PjNU5uVE3Jr3rtwxVc-zAoUWFhoXLc/s1600/Jesus+Storybook+Bible.jpg" /></a>Reading this book is a standard activity during our day. It is a superb way to teach children a cross-centered view of the Bible. Throughout this week we are going to read a story pertaining to the Holy Week, ending with Christ's resurrection!<br />
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<b>Resurrection Easter Eggs</b><br />
Each egg contains a tiny object lesson describing what Christ did for us through his suffering, death, and resurrection.<br />
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<b>Resurrection Cookies </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Zt08FHSE7tsQMHUKU6jJJ60pO7raV1MIpgbCv3QL-0n69zVweJb8UdghIaDOyeyZMF4o4S74fAXYwHC2v-SLoHgo__83dABNiWr5M_tBfzDgRtnwJcqnS86z12pnQmzjLXAq5lRPVc/s1600/Resurrection+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Zt08FHSE7tsQMHUKU6jJJ60pO7raV1MIpgbCv3QL-0n69zVweJb8UdghIaDOyeyZMF4o4S74fAXYwHC2v-SLoHgo__83dABNiWr5M_tBfzDgRtnwJcqnS86z12pnQmzjLXAq5lRPVc/s200/Resurrection+Cookies.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">(I'm REALLY excited about this one!)</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 egg whites</span><br />
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1 cup sugar</span><br />
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1 tsp vinegar</span><br />
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pinch of salt</span><br />
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wooden spoon</span><br />
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Ziploc bag</span><br />
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Bible</span><br />
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Tape (Packing tape works best)</span><br />
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1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let
children beat them with the wooden spoon until broken into small pieces.
Read John 19:1-3 and remind them that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten
by the Roman soldiers.<br />
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2. Let each child smell (or taste) the vinegar. Pour 1 tsp into the
mixing bowl. Read John 19:28-30 and explain that when Jesus was thirsty
on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.<br />
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3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Read John
10:10-11 Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.<br />
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4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it, then
brush it into the bowl. Read Luke 23:27. Explain that this
represents the salty tears shed Jesus' followers as well as the bitterness of
our own sin.<br />
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5. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that
Jesus died because of His great love for us. He wants us to know and
belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16<br />
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6. Beat with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Explain that the color white represents
the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.<br />
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7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered
with waxed paper (or parchment). Read Matt. 27:57-60. Explain that each
mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.<br />
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8. Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven. Close the door and
turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven
door. Read Matt 27:65-66. Explained that Jesus' tomb was sealed.<br />
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9. Go to bed. Read John 16:20 and 22. Explain that they may feel
sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were
very sad when the tomb was sealed.<br />
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10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the
cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are empty!! On the first
Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt
28:1-9. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">HE HAS RISEN!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">He is risen indeed.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-50694095269166921762013-03-20T11:36:00.000-07:002013-03-20T11:36:18.124-07:00The Naptime BluesI have never met a mom who didn't love naptime, that glorious time of day when both children and parents get some much needed rest and rejuvenation. But there are some days when naps don't go so well, and the usual 2 hour session ends abruptly after 60 or even 45 minutes. I would love to tell you that when that happens at our house, I contentedly say, "<i>God is good; we'll just try again tomorrow. Now I get to have the blessing of spending an extra hour with my children!</i>" Sadly, I must tell you that my response is the very opposite. I get frustrated and discouraged, convinced that the rest of the day will be ruined. In other words, I get the "Naptime Blues."<br />
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I have asked myself many times why I struggle so much when naps are cut short. Part of the reason is that I know the benefits of sleep. If my children are well rested, they will stay healthier, learn better, and enjoy their day more. But if I dig deep into the depths of my heart, I know the ultimate reason is because I love "me." I feel that I deserve alone time, that I will be happier if I can just get a few hours to relax and unwind. And if I don't get what I <i>need</i>, I am robbed of my joy.<br />
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Elyse Fitzpatrick defines idolatry as "the thoughts, desires, longings, and expectations that we worship in the place of the true God. Idols cause us to ignore the true God in search of what we think we need." My children's 2 hour nap (and a reprieve for mommy) is a good, beneficial thing. But if that time doesn't go the way I'd like and I respond in anger or selfishness, I have made naptime my idol. I have believed the lie that alone time and my children's health will bring me happiness rather than the God who is the fullness of joy. I have ignored the true God who is in control of <i>all</i> things (even how long my kids sleep) while sinfully searching for what I think I and my family deserve.<br />
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So when I am tempted with the "Naptime Blues," I shouldn't balk at the sovereignty of God or find comfort in lesser joys. Instead, I try to meditate on this passage of Scripture:<br />
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"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;</div>
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My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.</div>
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So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.</div>
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Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.</div>
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So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."</div>
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~Psalm 63:1-4</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-84699655866056918302013-03-15T12:29:00.000-07:002013-03-15T12:30:31.531-07:00Life After Kids<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are in need of a good laugh, I hope that you are as tickled by this as I am!<br />
Happy Weekend!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-54900962921964498382013-03-12T12:07:00.000-07:002013-03-12T12:07:00.549-07:00A Prayer for My Children<div style="text-align: center;">
"Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days."</div>
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Deuteronomy 30:19a-20b</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-42909836094139612242013-02-22T13:05:00.000-08:002013-02-22T13:05:00.223-08:00On the Move<div style="text-align: center;">
Look out electrical cords, coffee table books, and stairways... there's a sweet baby girl coming to get you!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-4710176130691391082013-02-18T06:48:00.000-08:002013-02-18T06:48:20.686-08:00Happy Birthday, Buddy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDs8ue-Mh3gXFYc88DbMLmQ8avb0YLJc2YasphfYRR7FI-DOlOyvm23uNhG95sOR6TpY0_iDZWzFsPCVZdxBG63t8BYcVekNnxLvP27L88HId3UsR3KurV_VTzsIYlusjJ6W8ovflj7-Q/s1600/IMG_4651+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDs8ue-Mh3gXFYc88DbMLmQ8avb0YLJc2YasphfYRR7FI-DOlOyvm23uNhG95sOR6TpY0_iDZWzFsPCVZdxBG63t8BYcVekNnxLvP27L88HId3UsR3KurV_VTzsIYlusjJ6W8ovflj7-Q/s400/IMG_4651+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today we are celebrating the birthday of our precious, hilarious, adventurous, fun-loving, car-crazed Fletcher! We are so thankful for our little boy whom God gave to us 3 years ago. He is our earthly treasure, and it is an honor to be his mommy and daddy. It is our prayer that he will come to know Christ as his Savior and love Him with all of his heart.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-27373350362576094142013-02-14T12:24:00.002-08:002013-02-14T12:24:34.369-08:00Happy Valentines Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God."</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">1 John 3:1</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Ephesians 5:1-2</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Deuteronomy 6:5</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-49001828487291941892013-01-28T12:48:00.002-08:002013-01-28T12:48:40.171-08:00Winter Reprieve<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoying a beautiful, 60 degree day in January!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-87656122019082401032013-01-23T19:37:00.000-08:002013-01-23T19:37:06.372-08:00The Blessings of Getting Up EarlyI have recently been convicted to make my time with the Lord a priority by getting up an hour earlier than I normally would. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Well, you're right. It is. When my alarm goes off WAY before I'm ready, my sleep-crazed flesh would love nothing more than throw that clock right up against the wall. But after God gives me the grace to crawl out of bed, my flesh is defeated by the joy of communing with my Savior.<br />
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This discipline of the Christian walk will not automatically make me a more Christ-like person. But I have found that with each passing day, I am growing in my love for Christ. I am cultivating a deeper desire to read His Word and apply it to every facet of my life, including my mommyhood.<br />
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Since beginning this rising early adventure, I am better understanding Christ's statement, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). I often try with all of my own might to do the right thing, say the right thing, and be the perfect mom all of the time. And then I fail miserably. I need God's strength, because mine is small. I need God's wisdom, because I have none. I need the beautiful gospel to transform my life so that I can put Jesus on display before the eyes of my children. I cannot do this alone. I need God and His Word.<br />
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If I start my day at the feet of Jesus, I am more prone to run to Him when the difficulties, temptations, and victories come. I have a greater sense of my dependency on God. My heart is less focused on the temporal and more set on the eternal. Mothering is too grave a mission, the stakes are too high to not be saturated with Scripture.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."</i></div>
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<i>~ Psalm 90:14</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-82732906215199513502013-01-05T19:47:00.002-08:002013-01-05T19:47:38.880-08:00To Grandma's House We WentWe just got back from a wonderful 11 day trip with family. We went up to northern Minnesota to be with my mom, dad, and sisters. Then we spent a few days in Iowa to be with my brother and sister-in-law. Here is a little run-down of our journey to the tune of "To Grandmother's House We Go."<br />
<br />
Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's house we went.<br />
The temperature dropped, but we never stopped.<br />
Minnesota we were bent.<br />
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Over the river and through the woods, the fun was legit.<br />
My mom is so silly, we laughed up a tizzy<br />
Until our sides were split.<br />
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Over the river and through the woods, adventures did ensue.<br />
We went to the mall, we heard Sophie's call<br />
To tell us she'd pooped through.<br />
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Over the river and through the woods, entertainment was our quest.<br />
We watched old movies and played lots of games,<br />
But Fletcher's antics were the best!<br />
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Over the river and through the woods, our trip was Heaven sent.<br />
The hugs did flow, we were sad to go.<br />
But I'm so thankful we went!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-6116166590246372042012-12-20T06:17:00.000-08:002012-12-20T06:17:05.637-08:00Pondering Them in Her Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luke 2:19 & 51</div>
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I always thought this verse a little strange. What on earth does it mean that "Mary pondered these things in her heart?" Then I became a mother. There are things that have happened in my children's lives that are so precious to me that I purpose to remember forever: the first time I held each one in my arms; the first time Fletcher responded to my voice; the way Sophie kisses me when she wakes up from her naps. These are memories that I don't need a camera or baby book entry to remember. They are treasured deep inside my heart.<br />
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The truth that Jesus is fully God is imperative for the message of the Gospel. If He was not fully God, He wouldn't have been a perfect sacrifice. But just as important to the Gospel is the truth that Jesus was fully man. If He was not fully man, He would not have been able to die in the place of man.<br />
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I believe that this passage is one of the ways that God's Word proves the humanity of Jesus Christ. When the shepherds came to see the new baby King, they bowed and worshiped Him. 12 years later, Mary was finally reunited with her son after days of panicked searching. These are the moments that Scripture tells us Mary treasured in her heart. They were so wondrous to her that she wanted to remember them for the rest of her days. This is the response of a real, human mother, proving that Jesus Christ was a real, human son.<br />
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As amazing as it is to believe that God Himself would have a mother, what is more amazing is that He chose it. He chose to place himself under the care of not only a mother, but a sinful one at that. This sinful mother would have not always parented perfectly. She would have gotten impatient, angry, and done things out of selfishness. Yet even with this imperfect mother, Christ remained perfect. Because He Himself always obeyed, He was able to fulfill the law of obedience in our place. For those of us who have disobedient children or have ever disobeyed our own parents, we should be overjoyed at the grace of our Savior! He was willing to live and die for disobedience, making a way to be adopted as sons by a loving Heavenly Father.<br />
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I also have mommy moments when I can't even remember if I brushed my teeth, but that is for an entirely different blog post!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-53299876888527112132012-12-17T11:50:00.001-08:002012-12-17T11:54:31.353-08:00The Pauper's Gingerbread HouseIf you love to do projects with your kids but the Christmas season has left you with only (in the words of George Bailey) "a mama dollar and a papa dollar," don't despair. It is still possible to make crafts and memories together!<br />
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Here is what you'll need to make an adorable and budget-friendly "gingerbread" house:<br />
~ an empty carton of milk, juice, or whatever you're about to throw away<br />
~ frosting (you could also use glue, but that's not quite as tasty)<br />
~ graham crackers<br />
~ some left-over Halloween candy or surplus Christmas goodies<br />
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Cover the carton with frosting and place graham crackers on top. Using more frosting, cover the house with as many delicious treats as you can. While decorating, don't be afraid to sample some of the frosting or candy, but be careful...your children will want to take this step to the extreme! Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-11862373821593341302012-12-14T20:52:00.004-08:002012-12-14T21:17:02.725-08:00Weeping with Those Who WeepToday we have witnessed a horrible tragedy. A tragedy so inconceivable that our nation has been shaken to the core. You will be hard pressed to find a mommy or daddy that has not hugged their children a little tighter or told them "I love you" a lot more.<br />
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I have spent much of my day weeping over the slain and their grieving families. I am reminded again of the brevity of life and the reality of sin. Yet even among this unspeakable evil, our hope can be found in the cross. The reality of sin brings glory to the cross because it reminds us of our need for a Savior. We need someone who will rescue us from this despair, devastation, and fear. That rescuer can be found only in Jesus Christ, the one Who is greater than all heinous acts of wickedness.<span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">For the precious families who have lost loved ones, the weeks ahead will be long and dark. God wants us to weep with and fervently pray for them. And through it all we can know with confidence that God is still in control. He alone can use the events of December 14, 2012 to draw people to Himself for His glory.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory of them from the earth.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Psalm 34:15-18</i></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">If you are looking for a godly perspective on this tragedy or are struggling to find answers, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/category/the-briefing/" target="_blank">Al Mohler's "The Briefing"</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-29927884916136837492012-12-12T13:10:00.001-08:002012-12-12T13:17:52.467-08:00Hope for ChristmasChristmas has been called "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and indeed it is. However, sometimes it feels like the holiday should be called "The Most <i>Stressful</i> Time of the Year!" We want our kids to be completely happy with their gifts. We want to host the perfect Christmas party. We want that fudge recipe (the bane of our existence) to finally turn out this year. For many others, it can be a season of empty bank accounts or a painful reminder of loved ones whom they have lost. If this describes you, I pray that these truths of Scripture will encourage your heart:<br />
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To you who are overwhelmed, Christ was born to be your peace <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:13-15&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Ephesians 2:13-15)</a>.<br />
To you who are lonely, Christ was born to be your friend <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:12-15&version=ESV" target="_blank">(John 15:12-15)</a>.<br />
To you who are living in despair, Christ was born to be your hope <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015:12&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Romans 15:12)</a>.<br />
To you who are fearful, Christ was born to care for all your needs and secure your eternity <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:29-34&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Luke 12:29-34)</a>.<br />
To you who are going through trials, Christ was born to be your comforter <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+1:3-5&version=ESV" target="_blank">(2 Corinthians 1:3-5)</a>.<br />
To you who are discontent, Christ was born to be your satisfaction <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206:35&version=ESV" target="_blank">(John 6:35)</a>.<br />
To you who are weary, Christ was born to be your strength <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:12-13&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Philippians 4:12-13)</a>.<br />
To you who are depressed, Christ was born to be your joy <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:10-11&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Luke 2:9-10)</a>.<br />
To you who are drowning in guilt over sin, Christ was born to be your Savior <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:9-10&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Luke 19:9-10)</a>.<br />
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If we depend on the presents, decorations, cookies, and parties to make the season bright, we will be sadly disappointed. Christmas is wonderful because it is a time to remember Jesus Christ. A time to be amazed that God became man, dwelt among us, and fulfilled the law in our place, making Him the only One who could rescue us from our sin. There is no greater reason to celebrate than that.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12937078656062833754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237069392198245985.post-5028611799897050832012-12-10T12:31:00.001-08:002012-12-10T12:31:29.464-08:00Decking the HallsOne thing I love most about the Christmas season is all of the beautiful decorations. It is so much fun to turn my home into what I like to call "a magical, Christmas wonderland." In the past 2 years since Fletcher has been born, I have chosen to decorate during his nap time. This year I decided to do the bulk of the decorating while both Fletcher and Sophie were awake and full of energy.<div>
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The Christmas music in the background was drowned out by Sophie blowing raspberries as she played at our feet. The stockings could not be hung until they were first put on Fletcher's feet and strewn around the living room. Every ornament had to be touched. Every decoration had to be investigated. The giggling was as abundant as the twinkling lights. In short, we had a blast.</div>
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Did the decorating take twice as long as usual? Yes. </div>
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Was it ten times more fun and memorable? Absolutely. </div>
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Will I do it this way for every Christmas to come? You bet.</div>
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