Embracing the JOurneY...

My Thoughts are Moving

2009-03-22T17:09:00.003-05:00

Just to annoy you and make you change your links I have decided to find a new place to put my thoughts... okay not really.

In an attempt to express my thoughts more fully I had to retreat back to an old place my thoughts felt more comfortable and once called home, a place I find less cluttered and less temptation to express for prideful reasons. I can not explain what the differences are between here and there but like a room they both have an atmosphere and this one is not one of peace for me and I find it rather hard to articulate and reach in to capture my thoughts down to encourage and reflect and grow, I find the freedom through the peaceful and simple atmosphere here to do just that. This blogging thing or writing is a kind of therapy for me, a joy for me and a way for me to not only share my heart and thoughts with you but also more fully with me. I truly understand myself better through writing my thoughts out and what He is teacing me. So, if you care to follow me I am no longer writing here but over here at Embracing the Journey

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An update and Birthday post

2009-03-17T14:51:00.007-05:00

This week has been clouded, literally and spiritually. I am in a place where every moment is taken and busy in mind and in physical motion and I find myself consistently and overwhelmingly exhausted... tired... dry... weary... faint (at times) and just longing for a break, a moment to simply inhale and exhale, to meditate, to soak in the beauty of this moment.... sigh.

The Lord has been teaching me so many things about what it means to seriously live for Him and die to self, through my marriage and through new relationships, things on LOVE and sacrafice. My life is a constant battle ground of flesh and spirit of pride and humility and the battles are bloody and painful. For the last 2 weeks I have been meditating on Hosea 10:12 "Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you." I can not tell you how the Spirit has been working on my heart so intricately through His words of truth and wisdom. This last week we were so blessed by a friend who came out and tilled us up a garden and as I think back on all the work they did, a full days work in a constant drizeling rain, I am experiencing the Spirit doing the same in my heart... breaking up my fallow ground, tilling up the clay and mixing in good soil so that fruit can grow.

I know I never followed up with my husband encouragement challenge post but I trust you the few of you, my dear friends, understand. Today is my sweet baby angel's birthday, my now 2 year old Butterfly. My heart is so full of joy for this little girl that brings such a unique ray to our sunshine. She is teaching me so many things, to smile when I don't always feel like it, to be gently when harshness is my tendency and to simply just enjoy when the business of life calls. She has a presence that can not be ignored, I praise God for our little Butterfly:

Day 30: The End or Just another Begining

2009-03-02T07:12:00.004-06:00

". . . This is my beloved, and this is my friend . . ." Song of Solomon 5:16b

Friends can be completely honest with each other, but friendships are strained when truth is not spoken in love. How are you speaking to your beloved? Are you so "used" to him that you don't appreciate the wonder of his friendship? That is your challenge today. Is your sweetheart your best friend? Does he know this? Have you told him, or do you assume he "just knows"?

Friendship is something that is cultivated through the good times and the bad. Friends can share their hearts, but they don't step on each other's hearts. The way to have and be a good friend is to cultivate and celebrate the relationship. As you end this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," celebrate your friendship with your husband. Get alone and reflect on your beloved friend. Write him a letter, listing the qualities you admire and appreciate about him. If you are creative with words, write and frame a poem about him.

Perhaps you can prepare a special meal, just for the two of you, and read the letter or poem to him. Ask if you can pray for him, and if he is willing, thank God for your love and friendship, asking for His blessing on your home.

Encouragement, as you have seen these past 30 days, is a synonym for love in action. How has this challenge changed your heart and life, dear friend? Did God encourage you as you planned ways to encourage your husband? Were there difficult days where you simply needed to trust that God was working? Days when it was hard to leave the results to God?

Remember that God is faithful, and He will bless you for your willingness to obey Him. His ways are not our ways, and perhaps He will honor you in ways you do not expect, but one thing is sure—you will never be the same because of your commitment to be more like Christ!

What kinds of victories have you experienced in your home since you started the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? Would you take a moment to share these victories with us?

It is the last day of the 30 Day challenge. It is strange because though the challenge ends today my calling to be a godly wife/helpmeet continues on and I pray the Lord will continue to challenge me to be a constant source of encouragement for my husband. This was a rough month around here full of mountains to climb and valleys to pass through but God is SO GOOD and SO FAITHFUL. I had a lot of beautiful plans and ideas for this challenge in my home that did not find their place but in His providence He revealed to me His plans and their eternal benefit for us. I had plans for more involvement and encouragement in this place for you but found little time to commit, and I do not apologize for that is another lesson the Lord taught me this month. I love blogging, encouraging, writing, thinking "out loud" and just fellowshiping but sometimes in that love I neglect other more important loves such as homeschooling, homekeeping, being an encouraging wife and an intentional mother. I long to spend the majority of my time honoring Him by giving my whole heart and full attention to my calling and I am easily distracted. I long to tell you ALL of the amazing things I learned about myself through this challenge and about my husband and the covenant of marraige but time does not allow. If I can be intentional I will rise early tomorrow and post some of those thoughts... until then love and serve the Living God in your calling as a wife, mother and homekeeper with all of your heart, soul, mind and with all your strength... praise be to God!

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Day 26: Balance

2009-02-26T06:57:00.003-06:00

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52

If you have faithfully encouraged your husband, you will no doubt have seen some changes in his life . . . and your own life, as well. Encouragement is a wonderful habit that we hope you will continue for the rest of your life.

The important thing is to keep growing in Christ and obeying the Word of God as you respond to your husband. As you consider today how to bless your husband and not tear him down, think of ways that you can encourage balance in your home.

Jesus led a balanced life. He grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. As you see your husband branching out in these areas, is there a pattern of growth? Is your husband striving for balance in his life? If so, let him know you have noticed, and ask how you can further encourage that balance.

If your husband is out of balance—focusing on one area to the exclusion of the others—consider whether there are things you can do to help restore or create balance in his life. Can you encourage times for sports or exercise? Keep the children quiet for a study time? Invite friends over for dinner? Stimulate his mind?

Be sure you are working toward balance in your own life, as well. Be an example!

It has been so amazing to watch my husband grow deeply in the Lord. I praise God for the work he has done in his life. I love to encourage him in his walk. I know because we have talked about it that he is unbalanced concerning anything aside from God. He is ALL focused in the area of being so submerged in the word of the Lord and work of the Lord that everything else has become unbalanced mostly concerning health and excercise. We both believe it is important to take care of your body to the glory of God so that we can serve Him better. I want to work on encouraging him to explore this area more. I think we struggle because there was a time in our life when we were unbalanced in exactly the opposite... our focus was health and excercise and we were unbalanced in all things concerning God.

I also am trying to lighten up in the area of being more hospitable and encouraging for him to go out. My husband has such a passion to spread the gospel and I feel a struggle to let go of my time with him to encourage him to go do these things.

I am enjoying examining my husband and myself and learning how to grow as a wife for His glory and encourage my husband to grow in his calling as a minister, husband and father. It has been such a wonderful journey so far, not to say it hasn't been hard because Oh my it has been, but God is good. Let me encourage you with this, when you feel a certain way this day say this... "I feel like... but I am going to believe He is good." because it is true.

May God bless you all in your marriages.

JOYfully in Him,

Out of the Mouth of Babes

2009-02-23T15:48:00.003-06:00

Today I praise God for the passion and deeply convicting words of a 12 year old girl who made a courageous decision to speak on abortion...

See HERE all of the updates and the details of this little girls heart to speak out against this horrible act of injustice and her heart to speak loudly and boldly for the heart of God. Praise Him and pray for her as she continues to boldly go forth with her passion. Her speach has litterally saved lives and changed lives.

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Whole Hearted Mother

2009-02-19T08:05:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow morning a friend and I will be traveling to Dallas/Fort Worth to attend the Wholehearted Mother Conference where Sally Clarkson will be speaking, along with her daughter and some others. I will be leaving my amazing husband for the weekend which leaves a hole in my heart, I hate leaving him for so long especially on a weekend he preaches but he is the one that encouraged me to go.

I am praying for all of us who are intentionally striving to encourage our husbands of the glory of God.

JOYfully in Him,

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Day 18: Laugh Together

2009-02-18T10:32:00.003-06:00

"You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy . . . Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!" Ps. 16:11a; 144:15b

"A merry heart does good like medicine . . ." Prov. 17:22a

It's hard to criticize others when we are enjoying their company. Instead of speaking negatively to your husband today, enjoy him! Encourage him! As you experience fullness of joy with God, share some of that joy with your husband. Does your husband have a playful side? A great sense of humor? Is there a "little boy" that wants to escape from time to time, reflecting the joy in his heart? This is a wonderful part of who he is, and a great strength. Let him know that you appreciate his joyfulness and his playful spirit. Find opportunities to join him in positive play times.

If your husband can sometimes be overly serious, coax him out occasionally for some play times. It will help him relieve stress and relax.

Let's have FUN today! Enjoy the man that God specifically created for us, praise Him for His amazing masterpiece and simply enjoy him. My husband has the greatest sense of humor of any person I know and that is something I so appreciate about him. Find a way to bring a smile to his face. Share the JOY you are experiencing with God with your husband, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him! (John Piper)

JOYfully in Him,

Day 17: His Vision

2009-02-16T22:24:00.003-06:00

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov. 9:10

Are you a wise woman? Do you open your mouth with wisdom, as Proverbs 31:26 suggests? As you continue in your 30-day challenge, remember that a wise woman encourages her husband. Is your husband a "wise man?" Does he have a godly perspective that comes from knowing God and walking with Him in obedience? Does he have a sense of purpose for his life and vision for your home? Tell him how much this means to you.

If you are not sure about your husband's vision for your home, ask him, "Honey, what do you want to accomplish with our marriage and home in the years to come?" and "How can I help you accomplish that?" If he does not have a vision, your questions may inspire him to develop one.

If your husband is not walking with God—or perhaps, does not know the Lord - you have the opportunity and responsibility to practice your faith and create a thirst for God. Thank God for giving your husband a place in his heart that only He can fill, and keep praying that he will turn to the Lord to fill that vacuum!

Today is a new day ladies! His mercies are NEW every morning! I can not tell you all how encouraged I have been to hear about how God has worked and is working in your heart and in your marriage in some amazing way. I was not expecting I think to learn so much and grow such a passion for marriage as well as for my calling as a wife. God has been intricatly and very personally teaching me so many things through this challenge. I am praying that you are experiencing the same.

Let's make it a zealful passion (redundant, I know) to be woman who speak only with wisdom, soaked in the grace of our Lord. I am looking forward to talking (the art of communicating) with my husband some time today, when the time is right, about what his vision is for our family... I am anxious to know. Enjoy your day of encouragement!

JOYfully in Him,

Day 16: The Art of Communication

2009-02-16T13:55:00.003-06:00

"And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

God says that it is not good for man to be alone. But the way some women criticize their mates, the husbands may long for solitude. Be careful today not to criticize your mate, but look for ways to encourage him personally and publicly.

Speaking of communication, does your husband communicate with you? God has made you a companion and helper for your husband, and part of being "one flesh" with him is the privilege of sharing and discussing personal needs and concerns. Thank God for that wonderful gift. Thank your husband for communicating with you. If your spouse does not communicate as you wish, look for ways that he communicates that are normal for him—smiling at you, nodding his head, even a pleasant "grunt!"—and then thank him for letting you know that he cares. Perhaps he needs to be lovingly taught how to communicate. Be patient with him . . . and listen when he does speak.

How, I wonder, would we describe our communion with our husbands? Is it sweet? Consistent? Painful? Avoided? Non-existent? I love to communicate... in this definition of the word: to give or exchange information, signals, or messages by talking, gestures or by writing. My husband would tell I love it a little to much :0). There was a time that I very painfully communicated to my husband, painful on both sides... I very unsympathetically and selfishly communicated to my husband every chance I saw. It was dangerous for him to be alone with me for even a second because I was ready to enchange information that I had stored away for such a moment of release. Sad but so true. I did not consider him... at all... it was all about me. I also never even thought about his way of communication nor did I ever acknowledge his attempts to do so. The other definition that I have found to be much more encouraging is: the art of expressing ideas. The art? I would add... the art of expressing ideas, emotions and deep and sometimes very shallow thoughts :0). It is truly an art... especially when we consider the other person who is on the receiving end of the conversation. How artfully do we comminicate with our husbands? Do we just throw our ideas, emotions and thoughts at him? or do we artfully and beautifully adorn our ideas, emotions and thoughts in the grace of Christ our Lord? I pray that before we would approach our husbands we would dip our tongues in His spectacular colors of grace... love... humility... kindness... gentleness and in His wisdom, soaked with sincerity and deep compassion..

As wives, usually the bigger communicaters but not always, we really need to be sensitive to our husbands in this area. Comminication with our beloved should be a thoughtful action as well as an artful action. I can not tell you how many times I have simply thrown my thoughts at my husband causing so much havoc because I did not give it much thought as to how I should express them to him, God was not honored and nor was my husband. I need to examine myself, my heart, my intentions and the time and place and then artfully soak each of my thoughts in Christ before I speak... express... exchange. How also I wonder in the ultimate meaning of marriage would I comminicate my thoughts with my Saviour Jesus Christ as I am to display the church in the covenant between Christ and the church. I know my husband is not perfect as Christ is perfect but in the biblical perspective which is what matters... how would I? Isn't that how I should then communicate with my husband who is to represent Christ, even if he is not seeking that representation, we are to hold to that model as the wives.

Examine yourself... your husband... and then express... or not.

So sorry if I made little to no sporatic sense... the culprit of time or lack there of.

JOYfully in Him,

Thankful Thursday: His Faithfulness

2009-02-12T07:07:00.003-06:00

I am so overwhelmed this morning by God's faithfulness in my marriage and in my life.

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

Praise God! He has covered us, sheltered us and shielded us with His faithfulness.

For great is his steadfast love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Psalm 117:5

God is faithful! His faithfulness endures forever, it is eternal while ours only lasts a short while before we reveal our continual unfaithfulness. We can not be trusted but we can trust Him, for He is always faithful.

The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. Psalm 145:13b

All of His promises are true because He is faithful!! In this day may we worship Him for the faithful and Holy God that He says He is in His word.

Thank you Lord for Your steadfast love and eternal faithfulness... may my life reflect my gratitude to You for this truth. I praise Your holy Name.

Thank you Lord for my husband and his continual humbleness that allows me to daily see you more clearly... it is through his humbleness that I am daily reminded of the holy, holy, holy God I serve.

Praise Him!

God said that He would never leave us nor forsake us... and His promise is TRUE. Christ His only Son was forsaken so that I would never be, thanks be to God.

JOYfully in Him,

Day 12: Grace

2009-02-12T06:47:00.003-06:00

"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." Eph. 4:2

Part of the difficulty you may face as you continue in this 30-day challenge to encourage your husband is that you really are struggling to find positive things to praise. Perhaps the problem is not with your husband. Have you checked your own heart?

Sometimes we get disillusioned because of our own unreasonable or unrealistic expectations (Prov. 13:12). It may not be that our mates are doing something wrong; it's simply that we expect too much in some areas. Our expectations must be met in God alone, and then we will have the right perspective to ask God for the healing and grace we need to respond to others.

How sad that we give more grace to others than to those in our own homes. Today, try to look at your husband through eyes of grace. Verbally thank your husband for what he is already doing.

It is sad. I know that I tend to give more grace to others outside of my home. I know that I have set way to high standards for pretty much everyone in my home expecially me. I really needed this reminder this morning to look through a lens of grace today, giving my expectations to God.

I am praying for all of you and your marriages.

JOYfully in Him,

Day 11: Submission

2009-02-11T06:45:00.003-06:00

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Eph. 5:22

Women who are constantly negative toward their husbands—especially by speaking evil of them to others—show great disrespect. Determine not to do that today (or ever!). This challenge to encourage is closely connected to submission.

Men respond to women who respect them. What do you respect about your husband? Part of that respect includes submission to his authority. Let your husband know how respecting him makes it easier to submit to his leadership. Show your respect in public by listening to him and smiling at him when he speaks. Place your hand in his as you walk together.

If you feel there is nothing to respect, search harder . . . nearly every man has some core characteristic that can be nurtured and respected. In any case, you must still cultivate a submissive spirit to his position of leadership . . ."as to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:22 is a weighty text expecially when you read what follows... "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." (23-24)(emphasis added)

I wonder how often we wives forget or possibly never completely understood our mission and ultimate purpose as wives. We are called by God to be submissive to our husbands "out of reverence for Christ" (Eph 5:21), we are to continually set our minds on our vital importance of displaying the church in the covenant of Christ and the church. It is so easy sometimes to think of ourselves as being insignificant and holding a position of demeaning inferiority... we hold no such position, such a thought is earthly and a flaming torch of deception from the prince of this world. Oh isn't that what the world wants us to think, isn't that what satan wants us to think so that we will not hold fast to being reverent to Christ by submitting to our husbands as to the Lord. Can you see the major significance that we hold. You and I have been given a ministry, a mission from God to be wives... holy wives... set apart for His glory... to submit to our husbands. We should desire to be submissive to our husbands first and foremost out of love and obedience to God, not because our husbands deserve it but because God deserves it. There are days that I don't feel like he deserves it but I must remember that it is not ultimately about him but about the blazing glory of Christ behind, under and above it.

If you want to dig deeper into the understanding and exposition of this amazing vital God honoring weighty truth for your life as a wife and child of God you must read this commentary on our high, holy and crucial calling of displaying the people of God in the relationship between the church and Christ! May it motivate and give you power in Christ to live out your calling with deeper conviction and enthusiasm for His glory!

Oh... how hard this challenge is! Because we are doing something of vital importance that has the power of God to change lives, expand generations of believers and glorify His holy name. Also keep in mind those of us who have children in the home... they are watching. (and taking notes)

Share your thoughts!

JOYfully in Him,

Day 10

2009-02-10T08:00:00.003-06:00

We all crave appreciation. We want to know that we are valued and loved. Early love letters probably reflected our admiration, but if we're not careful, our spouse will forget why we were drawn to him. If you still have any of your old love letters, re-read them for clues to deepen your current level of appreciation for your spouse. When we spend time criticizing our husbands, we lose time that could be spent admiring them. As you consider various ways to encourage your husband, ask, "How can I admire him?"

Does your husband know that you think he is attractive? What was one of the characteristics in your husband that first drew you to him? Was it a physical characteristic, or something else?

Was it his gentle, compassionate eyes? Kindness or concern for others? An easy-going confidence? A steadiness that comes from trusting in the Lord? Strength of character in a culture that lacks integrity? Do you see at least a glimpse of that characteristic in him today? Whatever it is, tell him!

I know this is going to come out really wrong but.... WE ARE ONLY ON DAY 10! Why does it feel like it has been so much longer? :0) This is hard and I am not doing as well as I had hoped. I got attacked by this weekend being so full and stressful and now am having a hard time getting back up.

I need to spend some time in prayer today, over this challenge.

JOYfully in Him,

Day 9: Admiration

2009-02-09T16:27:00.004-06:00

We are often so busy speaking that we don't take time to listen. We are so quick
to offer a comment - negative or positive—that we don't really "hear" our
husband's heart. Remember: we have two ears and only one mouth. We need to
listen more!
As you continue in your 30-day challenge, not speaking
negatively and focusing on positive encouragement, hear the Lord's admonition
today: "Be swift to hear." If listening is a real problem for you, play a game
with yourself. See if you can listen to your husband for one whole day, only
speaking when asked a question. If your husband notices the difference, explain
that you are learning to listen more-not only to God, but also to him.
One
easy way to express admiration for your husband is to ask a question about
something he enjoys, and then listen to his response. If it's an area of
personal familiarity, keep asking questions until you learn something you didn't
know, then tell him, "Wow, I didn't know that!"

I will be honest... it is hard to "listen" sometimes exspecially when it is something that I have zero interest or am very ignorant of. I recognize that I really need to work on listening more to my husband and his interest even when it goes right over my head... my husband often likes to talk about theology and doctrine and his having a degree in this area I am a little behind and lacking in the ability to follow much less keep up... but I will try... how are you doing?

JOYfully in Him,

Day 7 & 8:

2009-02-07T06:14:00.003-06:00

"Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!
. . . for riches certainly make themselves wings . . ." Prov. 23:4-5

"That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:21

Money is the root of much marital discord. Ask yourself, "Am I being negative toward my husband in the area of finances?" Determine not to speak evil of your husband in this area. Discover ways to encourage and help him instead.

Does your husband handle finances wisely? Does he make good financial investments, based on biblical principles? Does he have a budget? Does he make wise decisions about purchases—checking many sources before he buys? Is he a good steward of his money before the Lord? Let him know how much you appreciate his strengths in financial matters.

If he is weak in this area, encourage any good decisions that he does make. Perhaps you can help him, if he's open to the idea, by organizing financial files or providing other practical assistance. Or, if he wants you to handle the finances, ask for his input before you make decisions that will affect him.

Day 8:

How are you doing with the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? In case you've forgotten, here's the challenge:

You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!
". . . but who can find a faithful man?" Prov. 20:6b

Faithfulness is a wonderful but rare quality today, especially in regard to marriage. Do you understand how important this quality is? Your challenge is to continue to root out all negative speaking, and plant seeds of encouragement instead. You may be amazed at what will grow.

Contemporary culture often entices men to be unfaithful to their wedding vows and spiritual commitments. Appreciate your husband's faithfulness—how he is loyal to you. Let him know that you are glad he has "stick-to-it-iveness" in your marriage.

Appreciate his faithfulness to God. (If you have an unfaithful husband, this is a difficult area for you. Pray, speak the truth in love, remain faithful yourself, and discover ways to encourage faithfulness in your mate. The Bible says that husbands may ". . . be won by the conduct of their wives" [1 Pet. 3:1]. You may also want to seek counsel from a mature, godly individual or couple.)

We are on our way out the door this morning. My husband will be speaking at a local youth rally so we will be away for 2 days. I have some things that God has on my heart to express but it must wait until Sunday or Monday. I pray that in today and tomorrows challenge you will have victory over your tongue and only speak with wisdom. Enjoy your husbands and have a great weekend.

JOYfully in Him,

My Husband Rocks!

2009-02-07T06:12:00.000-06:00

My chosen prompt: Tell the story of a memory about your husband that brings you a smile and a giggle every time you think about it!

I sat here for awhile searching my collection of husband memories knowing that there are a abyss full of them that bring me to laughter each time they run across my mind... it took me a few minutes but I found one that I love to tell people and that I love to remember.

My sweet strong manly husband is terrified of spiders... if you have ever seen Me, Myself and Irene you have seen how my husband reacts when they get up close and personal. There is one time inparticular that brings a instant smile and contagious giggle through my body. I LOVE to tell this story almost as I love to picture him in action that day. We were driving down a road in our town. We lived in a college town at the time. On our way down the road my husband suddenly becomes panicked... when I notice the smallest itty bitty green spider... he is seriously freaking out. He is driving and the spider is on the steering wheel so you can see the severity of the situation, luckily we were heading into a red light. My husband barely slams the car in stop put it in park before he flings the door open and jumps out of the car! He is doing the icky spider dance, I flick it, the spider out the door causing more panic. Meanwhile, there is a huge, you know big monster truck that pulls up beside us with some college guy smiling in amusement. That moment for me is classic and I love it!

My Husband Rocks with his spider phobia!!

JOYfully in Him,M

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Day 6: Deflating Words?

2009-02-06T11:22:00.005-06:00

". . . whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31b

Do you recognize and appreciate your husband's creativity? Or do you criticize and demean his efforts? Instead of negativity, determine to be positive. Perhaps you can help your husband see that his efforts are an opportunity to glorify God.

Is your husband the "creative" type? Does he have any artistic gifts? What is that special "knack" he has? Affirm him for his handiwork - a hobby, music, gardening, tinkering with cars, working with wood, etc. Remember: Even if he doesn't measure up to your standards, praise his efforts. If your budget allows, buy him a book or magazine that will continue to encourage his special skill or talent.

If you have a hard time finding his "creative side," understand that men's creativity sometimes is related to their work. Find something he does to make his job run more smoothly or something he does that adds value to his work . . . and let him know that you have noticed.

Make his day . . . Praise his accomplishments in public, while he is listening.

I wonder how often I "deflate" my husband's creativity, how often I confirm his insecurities unintentionally with my quick responses to his ideas. A year ago I read this article that really made me more intentional about my words in praising his creative sometimes "crazy, really far out" ideas(believe me he has had some of those amazing ideas :0). Here is a quote from Shaunti Feldhahn in this interview by Nancy Leigh DeMoss...

What I have found, honestly, is that so many guys go through life with sort of a secret insecurity. This issue of how we as women communicate with them is such an enormous part of how they think we feel about them. We may absolutely respect our husbands or trust our husbands but have no idea that we’re going through our day communicating the opposite.

Today I am going to remember the effect my words have on him. For my husband right now this is so important as he daily needs my encouragement and praise in his ideas with serving God in preaching and teaching the youth here. It is honestly hard sometimes because I have my own ideas as well, but I want to be sure to present them in a way that doesn't "deflate" his ideas and discourage him and to esteem his ideas first and foremost above any of mine. He is amazing! I pray God will bring these things to the front of my mind and allow me to see them in the moment, because it is so easy to recognize these things and say them out loud and then leave them behind.

Let us seek to inflate instead of deflate our husbands creative ideas and creative sides, can't find his... listen and watch closely... what things does he love to do but doesn't do often maybe because he is unsure of himself.

JOYfully in Him,

Day 5: Praise Him

2009-02-05T07:48:00.003-06:00

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph. 4:29

Another way to describe the positive side of this "30-Day
Encouragement Challenge" is by using the word "edify," which means, "to build
up." Negative comments only discourage and tear down. Positive comments
encourage and build.

Do you edify your husband before others, adding to
his value in their eyes? This is especially important to other family members.

Do you praise your husband to his relatives, and yours? Does your
husband's mother know how much you love him? How about your dad? Perhaps you can
drop a word of praise into a conversation or letter. Be creative in letting your
relatives know that you respect your husband, love him, and support him - in
spite of whatever flaws and weaknesses he may have.

Praise your husband! Not just to him but to others, find a creative way to edify him to others today. Look for the opportunities to do this. Let's praise our God today by praising our husbands, proclaim it to the world! MY HUSBAND ROCKS!! Check those out :0).

Also, let me encourage you of this. My friend and I were talking yesterday about this challenge and how praising our husbands and edifying him is easy in the way of talking him up, if you know what I mean... where we struggle in edifying him is in our daily responses and reactions to our husbands. I can very easily not choose my words wisely, corrupt communication is almost certain to come flying out of my mouth before I have consciously brought them to my mind and given them to Christ. I know this is not true for all of you but for some who share in this struggle let us intentionally let us give our words to Christ before we give them to our husbands.

JOYfully in Him,

Thankful Thursday: My Husband

2009-02-04T10:28:00.003-06:00

"There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage." Martin Luther

Today is Day 5 in the husband encouragement challenge, God has given me a deeper love and appreciation for the man in my life. We have been through some really tough times and there have been times when we were not sure if we were going to make it, I praise God for His faithfulness. This morning I sit here at my kitchen table with my "love journal" watching my husband quietly sit on the couch preparing his heart and mind for 3 sermons for a youth rally this weekend... I am thankful...

Lord thank you for that day long ago that you set my heart on a boy, a boy that you new and created me for.

Lord thank you for the love that I have for him and that it continues to grow deeper and deeper each year.

Lord thank you for the perseverence to endure all of the HARDships with in our marriage and getting us through our first few years.

Lord thank you for the man, the new man that sits before me this morning.

Lord thank you for the faith you gave him that continues to grow daily.

Lord thank you for the heart that you gave him to serve you wholeheartidly and with passion.

Lord thank you for the zeal he has for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for his boldness and courage in proclaiming it daily.

Lord thank you for his love for his family, his deep unconditional love for his children and for me.

Lord thank you for his amazing sense of humor, that find me everyday.

Lord thank you for the little things...

his smile
his contagous laugh
his hard working hands
his mind
his caring heart
his down to earth out going personality
his continual humbleness
his passion to know God
his willingness to serve and please people almost to a fault :0)
his deep desire to please God and not man in speaking the truth
his heart for prayer, deep communion with God everyday.
his perseverence in studying the scriptures
his radical thinking and doctrine

Lord thank you for my marriage, for the opportunity to serve you in my calling as a wife in displaying the church in your ulitimate meaning for marriage.

Lord THANK YOU for the forgiveness tha daily reigns in our marriage and the ability to recognize that we are both sinners in desperate need of your grace and mercy and eachothers.

Lord thank you for your GRACE that you lavish us in everyday before we get up, after we get up, as we walk along the light of day, enter into the darkness of night and with each breathe we take.

The Lord is SO faithful and I just continue to, even through the toughest times, fall deeper and deeper in love with my husband. I pray that God will keep revealing himself to us and giving us his wisdom and more and more and more faith. May you be blessed today in your marriage.

Oh, God THANK YOU for my husband!! What a gift for me, strengthen him today and use me to build him up and encourage him to continue boldly serving You...

JOYfully in Him,

Day 4: Words

2009-02-04T07:53:00.002-06:00

" . . . let him labor, working with his hands what is good . . . "

Eph. 4:28

We are all accountable for the things we say, both negative and positive words. Have you embraced the challenge to speak only positive things to your husband and to others about him? Here's a suggestion that touches the core of your husband's world.

Some women take their husband's career for granted, and they show it in many ways. Do you "dump" on your husband at the end of the workday, or do you strengthen and encourage him with your words? A wise wife will make her husband feel that she values and appreciates his work. Let him know that you are glad he is a hard worker. Take opportunities to praise his diligence and resourcefulness to others.

If your husband is out of work, unable to work, or refuses to work, you'll need to be more creative. Praise him for a character quality that you see in him that would be a vital part of a successful career—such as persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, good with people, good listener, determination, etc.

Do you "dump" on your husband at the end of the workday, or do you strengthen and encourage him with your words? This is something that I really need to work on. I have gotten into a very bad discouraging habit of "dumping" all of the days dirty laundry on him when he gets home or when we have free time in the evening. I am meditating a lot over the scriptures concerning the tongue and am realizing the power they have on us, and I know that discontented words brought to my husband each night is not edifying and building up. I realize that he works HARD with in his heart especially to serve God and it is discouraging when I pour all of my hearts discontentments and aches all over him on a daily basis with the intentions to gratitfy my selfish desires of what is called "venting".

Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24

There is a time to express our hearts concerns and discontentments but not everyday and always carefully each word soaked in grace and love for the glory of Christ and strengthening of hearts and not tearing. Here are some things to consider before we decide to "dump"...

Is this something that needs his attention right now?
Where is my heart in presenting this to him?
Can this issue really as important as it feels or am I being deceived?
Have I sought God's counsel first, spent time with Him about these issues today?

I really need to learn to cast all of my cares on Him my stronghold first and allow Him to work in my heart and then when I have heard from Him through earnestly seeking Him then may I take it to my husband. I believe it is an illusion that our husbands need to know everything that is going on or went on and that we need to release those to him in order to feel content and satisfied. I want my husband to be drenched in honeycomb as much as possible, built up and encouraged by the words that flow from my mouth, I really pray that all other issues in my heart will settle on their own with God's wisdom and power of His Spirit and that bringing them to my husband will be few and fewer. Okay, I am not saying do not talk and spend time with your husband and discuss serious issues with him when he gets home, I am just encouraging you to really consider your words, your heart and motives and spend your time wisely... focus more on him (and ultimately HIM)... ask him how his day was...what are his needs... his concerns... use all of those possibly empty words that you were going to use and that time wasted to praise him and build him up!

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Set our minds on pleasing HIM with our words... which will come out of the medititation of our hearts... what are you meditating on?

Two Shall Become One Tuesday

2009-02-03T14:18:00.002-06:00

I must encourage you to visit Praise and Coffee today for her Two Shall Become One Tuesday she is discussing an issue that I am sure we have all dealt with on some level in our marriage and if not something we have seen happen and destroy with in a marriage.

Just a little heads up for my friends who are following allong in this challenge of encouraging our husbands join on Thursday for a Thankful Thursday, let's share our grateful hearts for our husbands, and on Friday with My Husband Rock's Friday, I am excited about this meme I just found!

Care to share how things are going? Learning anything about yourself as a wife? Your husband? Your marriage? May God bless you my sister.

JOYfully in Him,

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Day 3: His Tenderness

2009-02-03T08:07:00.002-06:00

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:19

Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider your Encouragement Challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement.

If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender.

Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind or tender—especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude.

Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc.

Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.

I think this one can be really hard because I think sometimes as wives we have our expectations set to high concerning our husband's gentleness, kindness and tenderness. I know that all marriages are different where some men are extremely tender, kind and gentle. Today seek out with a loving heart his tenderness, it will look different for each of our husbands. Let us notice his and let him know our gratefulness. In our seeking his tenderness, if we don't feel he is living up to our "expectations" or is not responsive to our appeals remember that He is all that satisfies us completely, He covers all of our husband's short comings. He is our ultimate husband.

JOYfully in Him,

Marriage Monday (day late)

2009-02-03T06:50:00.004-06:00

Want this button?

I know it isn't Monday but I missed particpating in Marriage Monday, which I have been looking forward to, because of unplanned circumstances and lack of time.

What has surprised you about your marriage?

Simply... God, the power of God. He definetly surprised us with His presence, His all consuming presence. And He still continues to surprise us day after day with His presence. A verse that is SO relevant for our marriage is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Yes, He knew the plans He had for us but we didn't!! I can definetly say with out a shadow of a doubt that His plans were far better than any we had. When we got married on October 6th 2000, we were not only naive but lost. We didn't know that Lord, we were 2 extremely selfish people coming from broken and very difficult pasts begining a life together that would in years to come surprise us. We lived together under the vows of marriage for 2 1/2 years before He began working in my heart... soon after I realized the need for Christ to reign in our marriage I began to pray over my husband. I had faith God was listening to me as I prayed night after night for Him to open his heart and save him. I was not prepared completely for how He was going to do this! About 1 year later God basically brought us both in one night to a place of brokeness that could only be repaired by Him, brought us both to our knees causing us to look up. It was in that time that the Lord opened the eyes of my husband's heart and revealed Himself to Him and it was powerful. A year later we together devoted our lives to Him in service by giving our lives to Him through ministry. Rick quit his GOOD job with lots of promises, sold our house, picked up and went to Seminary. A LOT of people thought we were crazy! Seriously crazy.

Our plans to live a happy self centered money satisfied life (if that is even possible) were completely thrown off track when Christ met us on our path to destruction, saving us from a wasted life of self glorification only leading to death. Oh Praise God for His mercy and grace, for His Son. If it had not been for the power of His grace in our lives we would with no doubts have been destroyed, just another failed marriage. Praise God for His amazing grace.

Oh, God I pray that you continue to reveal more and more of yourself to us. Let the power of Your glory reign in our marriage and consume us daily to serve you simply because You are worthy...

JOYfully in Him,

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Day 2: Through Love

2009-02-01T21:33:00.003-06:00

" . . . through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

In the original Greek, Paul is even more specific. He says, through the love serve one another. What love? Specifically, the love of Jesus Christ. “Paul uses the article: it is ‘the love’ of which he writes, the distinctive Christian love.” (Morris)

We are in Day 2 and today we are encouraged to serve one another... not in love... not because of love but through love. When I read this verse this morning I just had to know more, what was under the surface of this verse? What does it mean to serve one another through love? To go through something means go from begining to the end, you do not stop. Our love is not strong enough to always serve another especially when we don't "feel" like they deserve our service but it is not through our love or the love that the world can relate to but through the powerful love of Christ. We must go through His love... a sacraficial love that lays it ALL down in order to serve and save. This is a powerful truth.

I don't want to ignore the reality that in this challenge we are all facing our own personal struggles whether they are in our marriage, in our hearts or just in our lives. I know that we are all in our callings being tugged at in many different directions. I know that some of us are going through a very painful place in our life, oh how I pray that His power will overtake us and consume us and enable us to serve and worship Him while we wait on Him to come and deliver us.

So before I go on... for those who are deeply struggling be encouraged...

Whatever you are going through... serve your husband through the power of His love... lay all of your hindrances of love down at His feet and allow the love of Him overflow from your heart into service to your husband. Worship and Serve the Lord through it all.

Now I know the challenge is to focus on where your husband is serving you... so now that we have examined and sought encouragement from His word on how to serve, ourselves... where do you see your husband serving you and your family? Be creative... thank him for how he daily serves around your house. It may be hard to find it for some... look deep.

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Day 1: Lay it ALL down

2009-02-01T08:32:00.003-06:00

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation that you believe to be the will of God."

Jim Elliot

Praise God! We have arrived at Day 1 of the 30 Days of Encouragement Challenge, I must express the supreme soveriegnty of God in this challenge. Let me tell you something that you quite possibly already know, we serve an AWESOME God who works all things out for the good of those who love Him. This morning as I type my thoughts out I can't seem to find the right words, maybe they don't exist, to express to you the JOY I feel in my heart for the realization that if you are commiting yourself to this challenge of living out His will in being a wife that seeks to ultimately honor Him by encouraging, supporting, loving and cherishing your husband... you, your husband and your marriage will be greatly blessed. I believe that through this challenge lives will be changed for the power of the Holy Spirit is with us and if we truly believe that we will walk these next 30 day (and following) with confidence even when we fall because He is pleased.

"You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind. This is the great and first commandment. And second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as youself." Matt. 22:37-39

Let me encourage you as this is the first day to put your WHOLE heart into this, not half, not 3/4... lay it ALL out there in seeking to live out His will for you. Let us wives together in spirit walk zealfully in our mission this month... seriously let the zeal of glorifying Him consume you and motivate you to walk confidently and in His power, not your own! I am praying for you my sister.

As you do this remember...
* You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone
else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your
husband...and to someone else, about your husband!

Also... take note that tomorrow is Marriage Monday at Spiritually Unequal Marriage, join me tomorrow over there.

JOYfully in Him,

A Place to Commune, Collect and Capture

2009-01-30T07:25:00.001-06:00

Before Sunday meets us with her bright glimmering (hopefully) rays of light let us have a Place to come each morning to remember our commitment to encouragement... a place to rest our thoughts and capture our hearts on paper. I have two resting places in mind... one for you to sit, commune and collect and another for you to capture... a quiet place for you to be still in communion with your Father and in collecting all of your hearts lingering reflections and a place with in that place to capture them for future reflection. Seriously, find a quiet place in your home just for you and then find a place, a journal or notebook to capture. Don't run out and buy a journal or new pretty notebook unless you want to of course. Use your current journal, make a journal with paper and stamps and other embellishments or just grab a little folder and hide some paper with in it. Don't focus to much on the "appearance" but rather the purpose. With in your notebook/journal if you want you can slip, glue or mold these pages:

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives
Journal Pages
30 Day Husband Encouragement Calendar

These are not necessary but can definetly be helpful. I love the calendar. Keep this little notebook of yours accesible for you to continue to capture during this challenge. I have no doubt that it will serve to encourage you during and after this journey... be creative... pour your heart into these pages through the love ink left behind.

I really find it encouraging to keep a little 'LOVE JOURNAL' if you will to just record my thoughts. I am seriously considering making this husband encouragement challenge a continual thing to keep me accountable, thinking about every 3 months... so the next one would be in May. Now I plan on continueing to live out my calling as a wife on a daily basis but every 3 months to really focus and record...

Today, if you are able, find some time to fast and pray. Here are some really good articles on fasting and praying:

Guidelines for Effective Prayer and Fasting

Fasting Scriptures

What do I do during Fasting?

Prayers during Fasting

Father God... I thank you for this day we have been given to display Your glory and light in this dark world... I thank you for allowing us to open our eyes this morning and retrieve this gift of life, to spend with our families, to spend in service loving You with all of our heart, soul, minds and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Father I pray over each woman who has commited herself to wholeheartidly and intentionally live out her callling as a wife... grant them each humblesness as they seek to put their husbands above themselves even when their emotions tell them that maybe they are not worthy and when she feels the eyes of feminism glaring down at her, give each one the ability to forgive quickly, to love radically, to walk in faith, to speak only with gentleness and kindness, to have a spirit of submissiveness and respect, to have a joyful heart and a willingness to sacrafice her time. Father, You are good and I praise You, walk with us Lord and remind us that we are continually in Your presence and remind us of the significance of what we are doing in our roles as wives. In the name of Jesus... Amen.

JOYfully in Him,

Overflowing with thankfulness

2009-01-29T10:18:00.003-06:00

This morning I find myself becoming overwhelmed by Him and His continual presence in my life as a wife, mother and homekeeper. Tuesday I heard His voice loud and clear...

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him,
rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7

Imagine if we were to truly on a daily continual basis live in Him... being rooted and built up in Him that we would be daily strengthend in the faith and the overflowing with thankfulness that would spring forth from the broken gates of surrender! Today I am thankful for...

*children... they are a blessing from the Lord!
*stations of encouragement found through out our house
*moments of difficult but sweet correction
*surrender in a stubborn heart
*humbleness with in a marriage
*the work of the Spirit among the hearts of young people
*courage to speak the truth
*voices to remind us of the suffering and glory
*a husband that isn't content with wasting time for the gospel

May I continue to live in Him today and overflow with a heart of thankfulness... He is good.

JOYfully in Him,

Preparing for Battle

2009-01-27T23:51:00.004-06:00

Okay, it is 4 days until the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge. On February 1st, which is a Sunday, we will enter our first “official” day of encouragement. For the next 2 days I want to encourage you to be examining yourself in light of scripture in your walk as a created helpmeet for the man in your life. Consciously observe, if that is possible from the inside out, your behavior, your reactions in certain situations, your demeanor and body language… notice your struggles, your weaknesses, your desires and convictions. Set a piece of paper aside with a pen (a journal if you like) and as you become aware of certain things, take some time to write them down so that in the future you can look over them, bring them God and surrender them to His Lordship. Be careful not to allow deceit and excuses to hinder you from the full freedom of surrender in admitting where you fall short and where His Spirit is needed to fill in. During this time put your pride-guard down and allow Him to consume you and overtake any of those areas. Glance sincerely into the eyes of your heart and view yourself through the lens of Christ.

On Friday the 30th, this Friday, I am encouraging you, strongly encouraging you (if you are able to that is) to spend some time in prayer and fasting. Take your list and your heart and get on the ground in humbleness to your Father in seeking His guidance and strength for this journey to die in order to love more fully as Christ. I don’t think we completely understand what weight our calling as a wife has on the glory of Christ… if only we would grasp it more fully and think on it more often. In this time that you set apart focus on your role in the marriage… ask God to give you wisdom in all of your areas and guidance… pray for Him to show you the doors, the way of escape in times of weakness and temptation to fall short and give in… commit yourself to self sacrificing love… to endurance… to forgiveness… to humility… to joyful service… and reliance on His power alone working through you. Know that when I say time set apart I don’t necessarily mean for you to spend the day or hours on your knees in your room while your family starves but more internally as you continue to serve and love, but if it is possible I think it would be great if you could steal some truly “set apart time” on your knees hidden in your room, closet or bathroom. This is serious God honoring business and we need to be prepared for the battles that will come through our strivings to be a wife that defies the culture because through that HE.WILL. BE. GLORIFIED. And he will set out to stop us dead in our tracks, cause us to doubt, set up stumbling blocks and our hearts and minds better be ready to fight his schemes to steal His glory. Things will happen to cause you to doubt your mission these next 30 day but in each of these it is vital to remember where your strength is found and where your confidence is and that is in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… we may stumble and fall but we stand on a Solid Rock that can not be moved! We are covered in grace… so keep walking in faith… pick up that Sword…

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Saturday I will post more thoughts on details…please in this post let me know (if you haven't already) if you are up for the challenge… so that we can share in a sweet fellowship and encouragement.

JOYfully in Him,

Memory Monday: Proverbs 31:10-31

2009-01-26T22:03:00.002-06:00

By the suggestion of my beloved I will be treasuring...

The Woman Who Fears the LORD

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than(B) jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand tothe poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

I pray that I can diligently work on meditating and memorizing these verses from His word.

JOYfully in Him,

Monday Beginnings

2009-01-26T06:21:00.003-06:00

God has been teaching me so many things since our big move last month, many things. Revealing dark shadows lingering around in my heart, inconsistences in my daily life as a wife, mother and homekeeper and more and more of His grace. My heart is on fire to surrender ALL for Him. In the last couple of weeks He has been bringing things together for me. It is hard to explain and I don't have time to, the early morning is slipping away and will soon be overtaken by little people. He has encouraged me in these 4 areas that I will be commiting wholeheartedly to Him... I will briefly explain....

1. TIME... I have been longing to get up early each morning to have my own quiet time with the Lord and to prepare for each day. While checking some blogs I ran across this , then this ,then this on time and was convicted further and then providencially found this. What a cool thought! I could do that and so I began with ideas when a few days later I found the 5:16 Club... an anwser to prayers. I need encouragement!! At least to get me started again. I love the Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." It is just amazing how God put all of the things together to encourage me to do just that... make the best us of my time.

2. CIRCUMSTANCES. Soveriegnty of God in the big and little, global and personal happenings of life... lately piering in on others lives and dealing with my own set of circumstances as well as thinking of the world, Christian persecution, suffering and economic issues I have been thinking a lot about the soveriegnty of God in all these things... mostly in the bad things. Why? is a question that unfailingly floats through my head and while I can understand or accept then to a degree it still finds me at times struggling... so by the grace of God I one day feel upon a book study that The Preachers Wife is hosting called Spectacular Sins by John Piper. I knew it was not an accident that I just happened to find this blog and this study... so I picked the book up while out one day and just the intro has me gripped at knowing more of Him so that I can be strengthened for things to come... for they will come.

3. MARRIAGE. I have recognized my own sinful and rebellious behavior as a wife lately... I have allowed myself to be decieved in ruling over my husband. It was a slow fade that took place over months. I have been stubborn in surrendering my pride over to Him with my submission and respect towards my husband. I through the grace of God finally broke down and surrendered. I am going to "host" a little (if anyone wants to join) 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge here starting on Feb. 1st. My aim is to put my husband above myself, to exhaust myself in serving him, loving him, encouraging him, honoring him, to display and keep the perspective of our marriage being the covenant of Christ and the church to outsiders looking in (especially my children), me displaying the church and to encourage other wives in this calling of being a wife to His ultimate glory.

4. MEMORIZATION. Something that has been severly lacking in my daily life is the memorizing of God's word, the treasuring of His holy word in my heart. I have tasted it's sweetness many times but have simply allowed my laziness and unfaithfulness to swallow up this joyful discipline of hiding God's word in my heart. I am going to again make a commitment to hide the scriptures away in my heart to carry with me in times of trials and temptations and in times of rejoicing and worship. Each week I will hide a new verse away and will be visiting The Simple Wife each Monday participating in Memory Monday's to fellowship with others in this discipline.

JOYfully in Him,

Today...

2009-01-22T08:09:00.003-06:00

I am reminded this morning that she will only be small for so long, under my feet for a brief moment as we sit in the first sun lit rays of the morning... dance to the music across the cold floor... discuss the wanderings of our kitty and admire the candy on the counter... as I listen to little sighs... early morning smiles... dangling feet from highchair... sleepy eyes lost in thoughts...

This morning I can see the small things that I take for granted each morning... I am reminded of how precious time is and that it is a gift... this is easily forgotten each morning as I focus on the unimportant... today I look above, keep my thoughts and focus there... off of earthy temporal things.

JOYfully in Him,

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Where is my treasure hidden in my home?

2009-01-20T21:58:00.003-06:00

In my home where is my heart? Where is my treasure?

"For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

I had to ask myself last night these questions after listening to a convicting sermon on the Centrality of the Home. Where have I hidden my treasures? Under my search for joy, peace, comfort... between the opinions of others, the expectations of the world... behind good behavior and a perfect home? Is that where my treasure is hidden... why my heart is tightly found wrapped around?

I realize that storing my treasures under, between and behind all these things only sets me up for failure. I am doomed to a life of frustration and emptiness.

So where is my heart? Where is my heart in disciplining my children? Keeping my home? Responding with respect to my husband?... for my own personal gain? So I can lay my head snuggly on my pillow at night free from guilt and shame? To impress? or is it to ultimately glorify God and give Him praise and honor that He deserves? To display Christ? To give a glimpse of the invisible God? Tor raise children to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength and to walk in all His ways?

My treasure should be buried deep with in the eternal glory and supremacy of Christ! Hidden in Him... in the gospel of Christ... no where else! Hidden anywhere else and the goal of righteousness is lost... Christ is not honored and glorified as He so deserves... eternal souls are lost... homes are destroyed little by little over years of daily destruction... unity of marriage is desinigrated... hearts are all ultimately left in a constant state of dispair and discontenment as the kingdom of God is lost in our minds and hearts.

The value of our treasure being in heaven is everlasting and incorruptable!!

Oh God, please bring my heart and mind into the constant subjection to Jesus Christ... hiding my treasure daily, daily in the cross of Christ! Father guide me into your holy and righteous will... shine Your light upon my path today in my home. I pray that my treasure is hidden in Christ and that I will exhaust myself for it's eternal, everlasting and incorruptable value. Oh, in the moments when perspective is hard to see, where everything seems upon my head and I can feel the weight of sin on me may I remember where my treasure is hidden... not in temporal fleeting things and opinion but in the eternal... in heaven, with Christ.

JOYfully in Him,

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30 Days of Encouragement

2009-01-20T15:29:00.005-06:00

Oh the calling of being a helpmeet! Oh how enduring and selfless it is and completely against my very nature... and not to mention culture. The curse that fell upon us when Eve sinned in rebellion agains't God has been nipping at my heels, not actually... honestly the curse has been upon my head sinking it's teeth in deep. Listen to what the word says in Genesis...

Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (2:18)

God created us to be our husband's helper, a perfect fit for that special man in our lives. It is amazing for me to think about the reality of that... that I was created, made, formed me in the womb for him... divinely designed me to perfectly fit the man he created and formed in the womb. Amazing!! Since we, no before we were born or conceived we were designed exactly for eachother... perfectly formed in every way even though it doesn't feel like it some times :0).

Now listen to what God said to the woman after the fall...

"I will surely mulitiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." (3:16, emphasis added)

The word desire is the same word used in Genesis 4:7 of the same desire of sin to master over cain. Wow!

“As a result of the fall, man no longer rules easily; he must fight from his headship. Sin has corrupted both the willing submission of the wife and the loving headship of the husband. The woman’s desire is to control her husband (to usurp his divinely appointed headship), and he must master her, if he can. So the rule of love founded in paradise is replaced by struggle, tyranny and domination.” (Susan T. Foh, cited in Boice)

So in light of Eve's sin that cursed us all and daily crouches at our door... I am going to begin on February 1st the Husband Encouragement Challenge... in a way to rule over it. In this challenge I want you to join me... join me in ruling over this curse of ours! Let me know if you would like to walk closely with the Father and His Son as I seek to encourage and simply love my husband. I will post details later.

JOYfully in Him,

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Being Still, Waiting for the Lord

2009-01-19T09:23:00.004-06:00

We are back from our Youth Trip... and I have so much I want to share but first I have something on my heart that I want to share today:

I was very encouraged from a section in a book I am reading titled Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot and I want to share it with you: (this is in honore of a beautiful friend of mine)

The section is titled Waiting...

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:14

Waiting requires patience-a willingness calmly to accept what we have or have not, where we are or where we wish we were, whomever we live or work with.

To want what we don't have is impatience, for one thing, and it is to mistrust God. Is He not in complete control of all circumstances, events, and conditions? If some are beyond His control, He is not God.

A spirit of resistance cannot wait on God. I believe it is this spirit which is the reason for some of our greatest sufferings. Opposing the workings of the Lord in and through our "problems" only exacerbates them. It is HERE and NOW that we must win our victories or suffer defeats. Spiritual victories or suffer defeats. Spiritual victiories are won in the quiet acceptance of ordinary events, which are God's "bright servants," standing all around us.

Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has ALL things safely in His hands. "Peace I leave with you; I do not give to you as the world gives" John 14:27. What sort of peace has He to give us? A peace which was constant in the midst of ceaseless work (with few visible rsults), frequient interuptions, impatient demands, few physical comforts; a peace which was not destroyed by arguments, the faithlessness, and hatred of other people. Jesus had perfect confidence in His Father, whose will He had come to accomplish. Nothing touched Him without His Father's permission. Nothing touches me without my Father's permission. Can I not then waith patiently? He will show the way.

If I am willing to be still in my Master's hand, can I not then be still in everything? He's go the whole world in His hands! never mind whether things come from God himself or from people-everything comes by His ordination or permission. If I mean to be obedient and submissive to the Lord because He is my Lord, I must not forget that whatever He allows to happen becomes... for me... His will at that moment. Perhaps it is someone else's sinful action, but if God allows it to affect me, He wills it for my learning. The need to wait is, for me, a form of chastening. God has to calm me down, make me shut up and look to him for the outcome.

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

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Prov. 18:10

As we all sit in the moment of His will for us may we all like Mary say with boldness and deep conviction "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38 and may we be enabled to be more closely united with His will as Jesus "...not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39. May all fear and worry be drowned out as we safely trust in His will for our lives knowing that His is best.

JOYfully in Him,

New Friends and Youth Trip

2009-01-16T07:14:00.004-06:00

Last night we spent a very blessed evening with a family that the Lord has providentially set in our path, through friend, family and the internet. We were able to listen to this friend sing his heart out to God... praise God for this family.

This morning we are packing up a church van to set out for Fort Worth Texas... to attend Winterfest. I am very much excited to spend some quality time (6-7 hours drive) with the youth group, worship together, experience poverty and God's love together as we team up with our past youth group in Mesquite Texas to feed the homelesss and the spend Sunday with friends we left behind. God is so good, after all the mourning of leaving them He enables us to visit so soon! Thank you Lord for the privilege.

Today you have been given a priceless and very precious gift... time... savor it and spend it wisely...

JOYfully in Him,

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Grateful, Patience and Love

2009-01-15T07:07:00.003-06:00

So I set my alarm clock for 5:30 this morning with the most sincere intentions to abruptly disturb my peaceful sleep and join in the celebration of a new day, but it didn't happen. I waited instead for the coffee alarm to draw me into celebration at 6:00. I am so reluctant to feel "misery" in the first 10-15 minutes of consciousness. Sitting at my place of quiet time I found Him there waiting for me... He gently spoke... patience... today seek Me and find my patience through a grateful heart and you will reap the reward of LOVE. I sat in a state of peace and comfort as what He was relaying to me was the lesson my husband so boldy taught to the youth last night. Love... but I can't I reply... not at all like I should nor like I so desperately want... like Christ... but there is hope and there is victory... thanks be to God. The ultimate gratefulness reaps ultimate love, Christ.

Today... grab ahold of each moment and thank Him for the gift... patience (that virtue that all mothers seek but seldom find) will follow closely in the shadows... and then LOVE will blossom with a sweet aroma... and Christ will be more visually experienced in their eyes through the heart and actions of their mother... YOU.

JOYfully in Him,

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True Womanhood

2009-01-14T15:32:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I posted all of Biblical Womanhood by Voddie Bauchman and today I am going to post some things on True Womanhood, which is the same basic principle. This last week God has been working on my heart for my home and my amazing family, teaching me things and simply reminding me of things that I have forgotten... sigh. With the chaos of life lately, as to be expected with a big move, I have simply put my priorities of being a collection of mother, wife and housekeeper on a high out of reach out of sight shelf in my heart so that I did not have to constantly be reminded of all of there responsiblities that take so much of my time and energy... again... sigh... a big... SIGH. The Lord, because of my extreme self centeredness and lack of faith, has not been able to work on me. I have to tell you... I am glad to be back! I am beginning to feel more like myself although maybe not completely act like myself. When in a new place surrounded by new faces I tend to become introverted and intimidated. I hide. I retreat within and observe for awhile... I am working on this! It is something that unfortunetly comes naturally... and so fighting it has to be a very conscious and painful thing.

I am seeing the faces that make me draw outside of myself, praise God. I prayed a lot before we moved that He would reveal those faces and hearts that would connect and mingle well with my own. That our hearts for our callings as a wife, mother, teacher and homekeeper would be like a strong magnetic force... not to be messed with! :0) I am finding them. I am enjoying the near family experience, which is new. It is nice to see them, enjoy worshiping together and visiting. I will admit... I am selfish with my time with my family... and reluctant to give up my time, my normal set in my ways time and routine. Change is good. Family is good.

Anyway, what I briefly wanted to post is this...

The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood

Take some time, when God blesses you with it, to listen to John Piper explain and encourage us in the ultimate meaning of true womanhood. I don't know about you but I need a lot of encouragement in this high and holy but often looked down upon and difficult calling.

Also when time allows read this: The True Woman Manifesto.

JOYfully in Him,

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Biblical Womanhood

2009-01-13T09:42:00.005-06:00

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive on their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Titus 2:3-5

This morning as God encouraged me I long to encourage you with this series from Voddie Bauchman on Biblical Womanhood.

Part 1...

and Part 2...

Part 3...

Part 4...

Part 5...

Part 6...

Part 7...

Part 8...

I know 8 segments of almost 10 minutes each seems intimidating but I assure you that a piece at a time and it is worth the listen.

Striving to live more and more...
JOYfully in Him,

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A New Day

2009-01-08T08:25:00.003-06:00

The dark clouds around my heart and clearing... light is begining to shine through in small radiant rays bringing forth joy and praise.

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me, therfore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.
The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 116:1-9

Oh praise Him for His steadfast love that endures forever!

Constantly seeking to be more...

JOYfully in Him,

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Encouragement and Thankfulness

2009-01-06T10:02:00.003-06:00

Lately life has felt more like death, light has appeared more like darkness and softness has felt more like sand paper against my skin. Yesterday and today has been a deep time of reflection in my faith. Where I am right now I find little security and little joy as my emotions continue to struggle with seperation and bitterness. I desperately want to embrace my Father's will as Mary but find little strength from with in to grip her kind of faith. I love the Lord and long to be His consecrated servant.

This morning He spoke to me through His word... comforting and encouraging me to remember and faithfully walk...

Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58

His words are a balm to my soul...

Today I must share how greatly thankful I am for the stronghold in my life that He sent to me many years ago. My husband is for me a constant reminder of His grace, His love and His sacrafice as I watch him serve the Lord and take daily walks through his heart as we talk and as he constantly encourages me to be a faithful servant of Christ. For me my husband though he doesn't see it truly represents Christ to me in so many ways. Thank you, for always being so honest with me and pouring your heart out over me in love and just for you being you.

JOYfully in Him,

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Doxology-David Crowder

2009-01-05T09:02:00.000-06:00

JOYfully in Him,

A New Year Resolution

2009-01-02T08:36:00.003-06:00

Oh for holiness!
Oh for more of God in my soul!
Oh this pleasing pain!
It makes my soul press after God.
-David Brainerd

I have been blessed, we have been blessed with a new year, a new year to glorify our God, to be a living sacrafice for Him. What a gift. I pray that this new year will be a year of consecration, of holiness. I seek joy on a daily basis, but what I should be seeking is holiness, is more of Him and less of me and in that there I will find joy, a joy that can be found no where else.

"To pursue holiness is to move toward joy-joy infinitely greater than any earthly delights can offer.

To resist holiness or to be halfhearted about its pursuit is to forfeit true joy and to settle ofr something less than that God intoxication for which we were created." *

I have been resisting holiness, had a halfheart in my pursuit and therefore forfeiting true joy... daily settling for less. I am tired of holding on to my sin and unholiness and long to give it all to Him no matter how painful, uncomfortable or radical it may be... He is not only worth it but deserving of ALL of me.

But as he who called you is holy,
you also be holy in all your conduct,
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16

A prayer* for the new year...

Oh, God,
show me more of Your holiness.
Show me more of my sinfulness.
Help me to hate sin and to love righteousness as You do.
Grant me a deeper conviction of sin
and a more thorough spirit of repentence.
And make me holy as You are holy.

*Holiness, Nancy Leigh Demoss

JOYfully in Him,

Chapter Closed

2008-12-29T09:52:00.002-06:00

Well we are flipping through the last pages of our current chapter in life about to start a whole new one. We are about to leave the place we have called home for 3 1/2 years and the people we have called family. Our hearts are broken as we are uprooted from this place in our lives and now only hold memories. The Lord has called us away and we are now anxiously awaiting the ink to fill our next chapter.

See you in Louisiana!

JOYfully in Him,

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Silent Night

2008-12-20T15:28:00.001-06:00

I have packed 8 boxes this afternoon. I sit among them in silence and just think... and listen...

Have a blessed day..

JOYfully in Him,

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Christmas Photos: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2008-12-19T15:48:00.003-06:00

So Wednesday morning I woke up and decided to attempt our annual Christmas pictures by the tree. As usual I am not to excited but a little more fearful considering the lack of "normal" and "cute" copporation I usually get from them. I try to be cheery and enthusiastic but it soon fades as I realize T-Rex refuses to smile or sit even remotely still for more than a second and Superman has some problems posing in a picture pose... it is always a super fun time! It is in those moments that I realize, again, that I need to lighten up :0) So here they are... the good the bad and the not so good pictures by the tree but still cute! (Daddy is behind me being... himself :0).

Trying to be continually more...

JOYfully in Him,

Oh Come, Oh Come

2008-12-17T12:41:00.004-06:00

Our church hosted a Christmas play last Sunday. It was beautiful to see our little children celebrate the coming of Christ. This song always brings such joy when it comes on the radio and reminds me of why we celebrate this holiday. Praise God...

Father, forgive me for my unbelief this morning and restore me for Your glory. Use me this day as I seek to know You and serve You. Thanks be to Your holy name for the Lamb that You sent to take away the sins of the world... May the Love of Christ prevail in the daily lives of Your redeemed children...

JOYfully in Him,

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I Believe

2008-12-12T14:40:00.001-06:00

I *love* this song.

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Christmas among Packing...

2008-12-10T13:03:00.006-06:00

I am trying to be thankful and joyful as I follow His plan for my future during this Christmas season. I will CHOOSE (keyword) Joy, JOY found only in Christ. I am looking beyond my feelings and my fears and to the JOY set before me in trusting my Savior and God.

In order for me to do this I must lay out a "plan of action" so I can see it. I have been focused on the boys room right now but with the constant battle of toys in the playroom I am turning my focus to it tomorrow. I am spending the day packing up ALL of the toys, I know it is early to leave my kids with out their source of play but don't worry I will allow them to pack a small bag each of the toys of their choosing. I think that it will help them to appreciate what they have and through this time teach them to look for His blessings in other ways other than the "toys" in their life.

I have a 3 step plan for the boys room and plan to be finished with step 2 today...

Boys Room:
Step 1: Clearing
*~~Clear out toys~~
*~~Clear out trash~~
*~~Set aside dirty clothes~~

Step 2: Boxes (Finish Dec. 10: today)
*~~Give away/sale~~
*~~Unused items~~
*~~Unused items~~
*~~Sports~~
*~~Extra blankets and bags~~

Step 3: Boxes (Finish sometime next week; Friday?)
*Organize memory box in closet and under bed
*Shoes (seperate Superman and T-Rex)
*Pack winter clothes not kept out for remainder of time
*Books
*Last pieces of decoration (curtains, lamp, shelf, letters & planets) & bedding.

Play Room:
Step 1: Finish by Dec. 11 (tomorrow) Pack...
*~~Dress up~~
*~~Swords & Guns~~
*~~Skate boards~~
*~~Animals~~
*~~Cars & Trucks~~
*~~Building Blocks/Toys~~
*~~Puzzles & Games~~
*~~Play Food and Grill~~

I plan on packing them in big ziplock baggies if they are small enough to fit. I will sift through them all as I go.I will be significantly down sizing in this area. Some are destined for trash, others for Grandmas and others, the fortunet ones, for their new home.

I figure if I pack some each day until the 19th then I will have made a HUGE chunck of progress by the time we start packing for real to leave. And this way it is not as chaotic and stressful on us. I want to finish by the 19th, have a Garage Sale on the 20th, take the Christmas week off to celebrate Christ as a family and then get busy packing either on the 26th or the 27th and then drive out in our Uhaul on the 29th possibly the 30th. Oh how I pray I will work diligently so that this plan will work. We will see :0). I might be laughing later at my over optimistic plans.

On to one of my favorite Christmas songs preformed by Third Day...

I am hoping to post some of our Christmas crafts we have enjoyed doing as well.

JOYfully in Him,

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Oh, faith where did you go?

2008-12-09T14:00:00.003-06:00

I am taking the time to share some thoughts...

I found myself wondering where my strong unwavering faith I once held went away to? At this place in my journey of life I find myself holding a very frail, weak and wimpy faith that crumbles at any tribulation that is set in it’s path. I worry of gripping it to tightly in fear of breaking it in peices. Life is as I have said chaotic. I have fallen into an emotional hole unable to climb my way out at times deglecting so many responsibilities in the day. I have thrown myself many pity parites and cried out to God on more than one occasion "why?", throwing all His faithfulness and goodness out the window shattering His loving soveriegn presence. I am tired and simply fed up with where my faith stands and how I have wandered so far from His love.

I have decided that each morning before I officially begin, I will take the time to not only pray but dedicate myself to His service, to recognize my stubbornness, my uselessness and weakness with out His power working in my heart and mind. I will every morning even though I may not be able to feel His presence give my heart, mind and soul to Him and recognize who I am, which is a speck and lowly creature, and who He is, the Almighty King and Creator of all things. Every morning I will humble myself before my King only lifting my eyes to receive His grace that He undeservedly pours on my head. I will praise Him and choose to walk in faith and in love through each valley and over each mountain leaning on Christ through prayer and His Spirit.

I commit myself to trust my God no matter what, and to stop fighting His will. To not just hold tight to His promises but to believe them as they are carried in my heart. I will praise Him and give Him thanks for not only the obvious blessings but the blessing in disgise that I so often miss. Join me? Be still... know that He is God Almighty.

Praise God for His faithfulness... have a blessed day.

JOYfully in Him,

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Peace on Earth

2008-12-09T12:05:00.001-06:00

Today I sit quietly holding my baby angel listening for His voice... holding tight to His promises.

JOYfully in Him,

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Blank Thoughts followed by Music

2008-12-08T16:26:00.002-06:00

I can not find words to explain how I feel at this time and the Lord is quiet at this time so I am simply going to share some of my favorite Christmas songs this week as I search for Him among the chaos and packing. So until I find the words and time listen...

How Many Kings?

2008-12-04T17:43:00.003-06:00

Let us remember to worship Him, our King, this season and not get lost in the red and green decorations, gift wrap and sale tags...

JOYfully in Him,

Spend Less, Love More

2008-12-04T09:30:00.001-06:00

Advent Conspiracy...

JOYfully in Him,

A Week in Service

2008-12-02T08:32:00.003-06:00

Well we are in the last month or page of this chapter in our lives and I can feel the weight of moving on my shoulders. I am in a really strange place right now emotionally and struggling to gain control as life and time seem to speed away. This morning as I look out my livingroom window at the crimson red leaves He reminds me of His love and His peace, and I am thankful. Our moving date is getting closer and I have a lot of things I must start doing. This week my to do list feels overwhelming and undoable. Within my list lies His royal list for His servant. Growing Minds of Wisdom is taking the month off to focus our attention on moving and celebrating Christ as a family. This week I seek to serve a King with my life... here is my list...

Finish up all my crafts for women's craft sale. (by Wednesday)
Put up Christmas tree and decorations.(on Thursday)
Make laundry detergent. (today)
Wash 1 load of clothes a day.
Pay all bills and calculate expenses for move.(today)
Begin slowly packing unused clothes in littles room.(starting Wednesday)
Plan menu for this week. (today)
Follow family liturgies. (daily)
Be thinking about gift ideas.
Write Compassion child.(today)
Get T-Rex some no tie shoes.(probably Friday)
Make chore sticks.(maybe tonight)
Be consistent with discipline. (second-ly :0)
Clean boy's room and the girl's room. (Friday/Saturday)
Plan Christmas activities. (today)
Go grocery shopping. (today)

Father... may I give each day to your service... keep me busy... remind me to be conscious in joyful anticipation of Your return... give me peace in my moments of chaos... energy in my moments of exhaustion... allow me to have perspective when responding to my precious children and respect when speaking to my husband. I pray you will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus and reveal my priorities each blessed day you give me. May the gospel of Christ reign in each moment and may my hands be an extention of His grace and love to all those close to me... glory to You alone... in His holy name I pray...

Update:

Family Menu...

Tuesday: Hot Dogs with Homemade Fries
Wednesday: Pancakes, Hot Dogs with Chips, Pizza at church
Thursday: Eggs, Hashbrowns and Fruit, Tuna and Turkey Sandwiches with Chips, Black Bean Soup with Cornbread
Friday: Cinnamon Toast with Bacon, Black Bean Soup, Chicken Salad with rolls
Saturday: Cereal with Fruit, Leftovers, Crockpot Chicken, Potatoes and Brocolli
Sunday: Pumpkin Muffins with Malto Meal, Leftovers, Potato Soup with Cornbread

Desserts: Pumpkin Spice Bread and Cookies

This morning we quickly got ready and headed off to the grocery store for a fairly decent trip, no fits or major happenings. We went in and came out. It is now rest time so I will start crafting for an hour or more while the littles are quiet and sleeping.

JOYfully in Him,

Louisiana visit

2008-11-27T20:41:00.003-06:00

It has been a very emotional and enjoyable week here in Louisiana. In about a month we will call Louisiana our home once again. We are on the look out for a little dwelling place and only have tomorrow to finish our search. I know that God has a place already picked out for us so I am not worrying just a little anxious.

Today was a truly filling day in many different ways. I am full tonight as I type out my thoughts... full with family, friends, love, fellowship, joy, grace and mercy and not to mention to much really good food :0). We are very blessed. Tomorrow we continue our search for our new home and then head out to visit my grandparents, Saturday we head back home to Texas to spend the next month in deep fellowship with friends/family and enjoy the season to be us.

I hope you had a blessed and full Thanksgiving day!

(constantly trying to be more...) JOYfully in Him,

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Hallelujah-Tenth Avenue North

2008-11-25T11:21:00.001-06:00

Nana...

2008-11-21T14:26:00.006-06:00

Happy Birthday To You...

A silly birthday video:

A Family Video...

~We love you~

JOYfully in Him,

Making a Mess... Thankful for Grace

2008-11-20T09:48:00.004-06:00

There is nothing but God's grace. We walk upon it; we breathe it; we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles of the universe.

Robert Louis Stevenson

JOYfully in Him,

Serving a King

2008-11-18T15:32:00.004-06:00

I loved the accountability I had last week during the Making Your Home a Haven challenge hosted my Monica. It reminded me of how HIGH, HOLY and CRUCIAL (as John Piper calls it) my calling is and how privileged I am to be serving Him here in my home. During the challange I was so motivated to serve consciously in every moment, now after it is over I am finding myself struggling to find my motivation again... kind of like a party when it is over and everyone has gone home. I am always really depressed and just kind of out of it and everyone just took my motivation with them when they left. When post my to do list I feel more accountably and motivation in a lot of ways. Sometimes it is hard for me personally to realize that I do not have a boss that watches over me and pushes me to get things done... although I do have a King... that I serve. A holy and righteous King that I am daily in the presence of and serving. My ultimate motivation should never come from crowd of onlookers or from works as if to accomplish something but of the One who deserves everything I have to offer, my life.

In order to keep me focused on this reality of being in the presence of a King I will be posting His royal to do list for His servant every week... hopefully unless it falls through (which is likely with me, sorry). I pray for perseverence and motivation as I long to give my whole heart in active, very active service to my Lord and Saviour.

Homekeeping and making...

*Clean the back yard from the invisible tornado that came through
*Stay up with at least one load of laundry a day, folded and put away!
*Follow my Home Management Schedule as closely as possible with out being to legalistic
*Have a nice family dinner every night with dessert
*Bake something

Child/habit training...

*Make chore charts to assist them in making their morning and evening chores a habit
*Make chore chart for table chores
*Make tokens for the rewards which will be time for extras: Rock Band, DS ect.
*Lots of encouragement with praise

Motherhood...
*100% consistency
*Grase Based
*Establish a "tea time" with boys and girl.

Homeschooling...

*From 9-12 give ALL of me to ALL of them (meaning no computer or other activities)
*Fill out progress report
*Go on daily nature walk
*Fill out Weekly Report

Family Liturgies...

*Treat them as sacred spaces of the day to focus our minds and hearts on Christ.

Personal...

*Read a chapter in The Mother in Law Dance
*Rise before thd sun to meet with the Son
*Abide in Him daily
*Find JOY

Other...

*Pack up the unused things in the bathroom and boys room
*Work on crafts
*Pack for Thanksgiving family trip

Family/Holiday Projects...
*Tepees
*Make Pilgrim book
*Read a lot of Thanksgiving books!

Father... may I give each day to your service... keep me busy... remind me to be conscious in joyful anticipation of Your return... give me peace in my moments of chaos... energy in my moments of exhaustion... allow me to have perspective when responding to my precious children and respect when speaking to my husband. I pray you will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus and reveal my priorities each blessed day you give me. May the gospel of Christ reign in each moment and may my hands be an extention of His grace and love to all those close to me... glory to You alone... in His holy name I pray...

JOYfully in Him,

Gratitude and Prayer Request

2008-11-18T07:43:00.004-06:00

Baby Noah is experiencing some uncertain medical issues and his parents are asking for our prayers.

Sunday's update from Noah's mom Kate...

We are on our way to the hospital with Noah, who is being admitted. He's running a high fever with sudden onset and looks terrible. He seemed fine at church this morning.

The car is packed and I need to go. Please pray. This looks like the kind of line infection that almost Noah his life a few weeks ago. Please ask others to pray.

Yesterday's update from Kate...

Noah is having periods of alert activity, but is VERY irritable when he's awake. It is extremely difficult to keep him content. He feels well enough not to sleep all of the time, but not really well enough to enjoy doing much of anything. He'll ask (scream) for something, then fall completely apart as soon as he gets what he thought he wanted. Now and then something will get his happy attention for a few minutes at a time. When his fever trends up, he falls back asleep or just lies in bed. He did sit on my lap and paint for a little while earlier, so Child Life is going to bring us more paints for tomorrow. Please pray specically for peace and comfort for Noah.

Also, I just wanted to share this video with you today... I enjoy it so much...

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Putting on our Spiritual Clothes

2008-11-17T09:06:00.003-06:00

Mondays come with out saying a difficult day following the weekend. My list of activities and places to go today is long, I really need to pray over it and ask the Lord to reveal to me His priorities for me to engage in this day, this day that He has made and ordained.

Today... before we step into our service to the King let us reflect on Colossians 3...

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. 1-2

Put to death therfore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, imputiry, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatory. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from youyr mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image if its creator. 5-11

After we have examined our hearts, found what is earthly in us and put them away let us then ...

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion , kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

And...

let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

And...

be thankful. 12-15

You wouldn't go out with out "putting on" your physical clothes, let us not go out with out "putting on" our spiritual clothes today being fully dressed we will be more fully equiped to handle this days battles.

JOYfully in Him,

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Seeing God

2008-11-16T15:28:00.003-06:00

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

I can not even begin to express the joy and gratitude I hold tightly in my heart for the awesome God I serve. He is so good and always faithful. Have you ever felt like you have basically "seen" God by how personally He intervenes in our lives as if He were to be walking amongst us. It is moments like these that were experienced today that I find myself utterly humbled and in awe of God and that I just realize that my Father in heaven is near and He cares for His children. Considering my sinful and self absorbed heart often straying far from His loving arms I am reminded of the true and living God that I serve. Today I was given a glimpse of the assurance I have and my faith was strengthened, may I never forget the warmth and tender touch of His hand as He so lovingly reached down into our lives today.

It appeared to be a normal Sunday morning as we went through our little routine. Everything went smoothely as we got dressed, fmixed hair, ate breakfast, put on our socks and shoes, packed our bag, located our bibles and kept up with the house. With 20 minutes left I long for a few minutes in meditation time so I put a movie that would help the kids focus their minds on God so that I could spend some time alone with the living word. As soon as daddy was ready we packed up and were on our way. Worship was divine and a sacred ceremony as usual... I am now at home waiting on my husband and oldest son to come home from feeding those that find themselves unable to do it themselves.

I don't know where you are in your faith but just know that where ever you are, whether dark clouds surround you, shadows follow you closely or you're in a place of solitude and lonliness... you are in the presence of your heavenly Father... He never leaves you nor forsakes you...

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD you God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Stained Glass Masquerade...

2008-11-15T18:14:00.001-06:00

Lord of All Seasons

2008-11-15T08:59:00.006-06:00

Why is it so hard to surrender all in the midst of such fleshly struggles? I am always so amazed at how deep and dark and hopeless my fleshly struggles can be and usually are. My faith doesn't seem to equip me with the tools to pull myself out... this morning as I read from a book I just began reading a few days ago by Elisabeth Elliot called Keep a Quiet Heart I listened as she relayed this message from the Lord to my stubborn sometimes unwilling to conform heart...

"If I can't give thanks, trust, and worship the Lord in every "season", in the face of any set of facts which may touch my life, I am not really a believer. It is here, in my corner of God's earth, that I am assigned my lessons in the School of Faith."

Does the gospel have anything to do with the little struggles we face everyday? The little battles that we pick up our swords and fight? The gospel has everything to do with those. I sinfully and naturally only include the gospel to the BIG things in my life and leave the gospel out of the small things. Small things like difficult people, children who push the boundaries of disobendience, computers that refuse to copperate, days that don't go as planned and fits in the middle of the school supply isle at Walmart. In those moments of seemly insignificant struggles that the gospel of Jesus Christ need not be apart of, that we find ourselves daily struggling to have perspective remember this...

"...Jesus died for me! He's risen and coming again! He ahs given me an inheritance that nothing can 'destroy or spoil or wither' (1 Peter 1:4, NEB) and a Kingdom which is unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). That's the gospel."

And it has everything to do with children, people, computers and unplanned days... so let's include Jesus Christ... His death, His burial and His ressurection in our small fleshly battles all through out the day, they are significant to God and to our sanctification. Those deep, dark and hopeless fleshly struggles I face become shallow, lit and hopeful when Christ is seen as Lord of ALL and then I am able to surrender ALL.

Let us surrender ALL as we seat Christ as Lord of ALL, small and large, significant or insignificant. Have a truly glorious day.

JOYfully in Him,

Making my Home a Haven: Inviting and Giving

2008-11-14T11:00:00.006-06:00

So this morning I found myself more reluctant than usual to get up. I ignored my alarm 3 times and then even after getting up out of my bed I just found another place to lay my head. After I finally got on my feet and got busy trying to catch up for the time I had lost I was very discouraged but the Lord had words to encourage me from our family Meditation time. He said...

Go to the ant, O sluggard (me);
consider her ways, and be wise.

How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:6,9

He knew exactly what I needed to hear this morning and I praise Him for speaking truth directly to my heart this morning and for speaking so personally to me His wayward sheep.

So after we meditated on His words... we went to the ant and we observed her ways so that we could become wise... and while we were observing her I was reminded of her in Proverbs 31 and her in Titus 2, again. Keeping my eyes and heart focused seems a great struggle these days. I am very grateful to Monica for challenging me to actively make my home a haven and today we are encouraged to make it inviting and giving so after I finish catching up I plan for our day to look something like this...

*~~Family Meditation and Dedication time~~
*~~Breakfast~~
*No school on Fridays
*~~Lunch (tell silly stories)~~
*Reading Time for Littles (Fun Poems)- missed
*~~Family Project (Thanksgiving activity)~~
*~~Rest-Bible Study and Prayer with Superman~~
*~~Bake something neighbor~~
*~~Spend some time planning an evening of fun with the neighborhood kids.~~
*~~After Rest and Bible Story/Snack time take time to Straighten up all rooms~~
*~~2 Loads of Laundry: washed, folded~~ and put away!
*Dinner with neigborhood friends followed by some games and maybe a short devotional. Postponed until Monday night to give parents more warning and so they will be home to come :0)
*Lights out Reading time :0)

I plan on also planning a night to invite over some friends and make a gift from someone special. Today is my grandfather's birthday so I will be making a special call to encourage him today :0).

Side note: We only have so much time before we leave our home hear in Tx to make a new one in La. The next 6-7 week are going to be a rush of a lot of packing, visiting and emotions. There are so many people here that I am crying over leaving and I realize that some of them I will probably never see again in this life and even some I will not see in the next life either which breaks my heart beyond just tears. It is so hard to leave when you feel things are not finished but you know that they are as far as God using you in certain peoples lives. All I can do at this point is get on my knees and give them to the Father.

I pray your day is blessing on you, your family and those who surround you.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Update...

We had an awesome day! My home felt so clean and wholesome because of my constant motivation to stay busy serving my home, my family, my God. We made our table turkeys and they turned out cuter than I thought they would! I made Tiger Butter for our neighbor and since we didn't have the neighborhood kids over we invited over some good friends for dessert and coffee. We are excited. We are now about to eat some Homemade Pizza :0)

JOYfully in Him,

Making our Homes a Haven: Fun!

2008-11-13T08:33:00.004-06:00

I never saw a Puple Cow;
I never Hope to See One;
But I can Tell, Anyhow,
I'd rather See than Be One.
The Puple Cow, Gelett Burgess

Today our focus in making our homes a haven is FUN. One of the biggest ways to spead fun through out our homes is to simply have a JOY-ful attitude in everything but also going out of our way to make time for little activities that are FUN. Sometimes, it requires a mess so get over it! I say this to myself because I weigh almost all activities by their level of mess, the less mess the more likely we are to engage in them but today I say "Get over it!". Have fun.

Today my list looks like this...

*Family Meditation and Dedication time

*Breakfast

*School from 9:00-12:00 (be devoted)

*Lunch (tell silly stories)

*Reading Time for Littles (Fun Poems)

*Family Project (Thanksgiving activity)

*Rest-Bible Study and Prayer with Superman

*Spend some fun alone time with Superman

*After Rest and Bible Story/Snack time take time to Straighten up all rooms

*2 Loads of Laundry: washed, folded and put away!

*Dinner by Candlelight

*Game Night!!

*Lights out Reading time :0)

Somewhere we will make a trip to Borders bookstore to let Superman spend his gift card from his birthday and possibly make a surprise stop at the nearest park. Today when handling any situations I am going to carry this verse with me...

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

And think upon this quote...

Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God.

Robert Schuller

May JOY fill the air in our homes as we inhale and exhale His presence.

JOYfully in Him,

Making our Homes a Haven: Cared for

2008-11-12T07:51:00.004-06:00

Today as I strive to stay focused and work diligently in making my home a haven I will be reflecting on Jesus words remembered my Peter in Luke 22:61 “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And when His words drift through my mind I will pass them to my heart and think of my sin and how many times I have denied Christ with it today. And like Peter weep bitterly for my unbelief. I pray that the Spirit will gently guide me with His words and encourage and focus my eyes to walk obediently and more faithfully today in my high and holy calling.

Today’s challenge in making our homes a haven is taking care of some little projects beyond tidying and cleaning up. I could think of a thousand of these but right now I want to focus on these specific projects:

Making a Praise and Thanksgiving Jar
Make our Thankful Tree for Thanksgiving (have boys help)
Make a picture cd to get developed
Organize Craft box
Make motivational chart for boys
Organize 3 Cabinets (bathroom, medicine & entertainment center)

These will fit in and between our day:

*Family Meditation and Dedication time
*Breakfast
*School from 9:00-12:00 (be devoted)
*Lunch
*Reading Time for Littles
*Family Project (Thanksgiving activity)
*Rest-Bible Study and Prayer with Superman
*Work on Craft box
*After Rest and Bible Story/Snack time take time to Straighten up all rooms
*2 Loads of Laundry: washed, folded and put away!
*Bath for church
**Something that I can not forget to do today: send a birthday card to my grandfather (my adopted father)

Tonight for dinner we will be eating Pizza, not the homemade kind. Our church provides it every Wednesday evening from CiCi's. Last night we were blessed by a friend who prepared dinner for us, pork roast. It was amazing.

JOYfully in Him,

Making Home a Haven: Clean Picture Update

2008-11-11T22:12:00.008-06:00

Today was a very successful day in making my home a haven. I got a lot accomplished, everything on my list. I have been able with the gently nudging of the Spirit to be conscious in every moment and I have been reminded in the struggling moments of my verse from this morning and of staying awake in aticipation of His return. Here are the pics from today:

Family Meditation/Dedication...

Before Play room pictures...

And after...

Living Room Afters...

Boys Room Before...

Boys Room After...

Good Afternoon Baby Angel...

Laundry Time... 1st load...

2nd load...It was so tempting to leave them all so nicely folded in their baskets but I overcame...

JOYfully in Him,

Making our Homes a Haven: Cleaning

2008-11-11T10:49:00.004-06:00

With homekeeping being my focus this week I thought I would share my daily/weekly cleaning schedule, the picture wouldn't work so here is the schedule...

Home Management Schedule:
Daily…

Morning
Swish and swipe bathroom
Make beds and put clothes away (where they go)
Clear sink
Light candles
Fold & Put away clothes

Evening
Vacuum, sweep & Mop
Shine Sink
Straighten House
Plan & Set up next school day
Wash Clothes

Weekly…

Morning
Playroom (Monday)
Bathroom (Tuesday)
Kitchen (Thursday)
Livingroom (Friday)

Evening
Hallway (Monday)
Boy’s Room (Tuesday)
Girl’s Room (Thursday)
Master Room (Friday)

Wednesday is a “Clean-Free” Day!!
Saturday is set aside for Outside & Window cleaning!!

I love it, it works for me and if I don't find the time to clean in the morning it is just added to the evening which is a little after 4:00, usually. And I love my Wednesday's being free :0). Monica is encouraging us to get busy and focus on Cleaning our home in our attempts to honor Him in Making our Homes a Haven, yesterday was Tidy Up(my update is coming). Today as I work diligently to balance being a teacher, mother and homekeeper I will find my strength from Christ who is my hope and my joy. It can becoming very overwhelming at times when I am being called to be all three at once and it is in those moments that I must focus on this idea of making my home a haven for my family.

This morning I had a brief moment of communion with the Lord before I drifted off to sleep on my couch. I woke praying again and then took some time to meditate on His word with a cup of coffee. The words that I will carry with me today are from Matthew 16:25 "Whoever loses his life for Me will find it"along with the thought of Elizabeth Elliot, "The only escape from self-love is self-surrender."

My list for today looks like this...

*Family Meditation and Dedication time
*School from 9:00-12:00 (Clean the Playroom when I find a chance)
*Lunch (Clean the Floor, moping and scrubbing)
*Reading Time for Littles ( Clean Living Room)
*Family Art
*Rest-Bible Study and Prayer with Superman
*Clean Bathroom
*After Rest and Bible Story/Snack time take time to Clean Boys room
*2 Loads of Laundry: washed, folded and put away!

For dinner we will have our favorite: Homemade Pizza with a Salad.

Something extra that I will hopefully have time to work on today is a Praise and Thanksgiving Jar for us to focus our heart each day.

JOYfully in Him,

Making Home a Haven

2008-11-10T13:37:00.007-06:00

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.... Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?" Matthew 24:42,45

When I read this verse I reflect on my calling as a servant of God... wife, mother and homekeeper and how faithful and wise I am? I am serving Him in complete consciousness or just unconsciously all the while. Am I just going through the motions or is my whole heart in it, my hands are moving but what about my heart? is it following closely behind or is it no where to be seen? The Lord has called me to serve Him wholeheartedly with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength... and that can not be done unconsciously.

When speaking about the Lord coming back I don't think of serving in fear but more in anticipation and joy of His return! When He comes, like a thief in the night, will I be ready as the wife of His servant, the mother of His children and the keeper of His home? Each day that He so graciously gives me is another opportunity to prepare for His possible coming. Can you imagine your beloved being gone for years and you know that he could return at any moment, in your sincere love for him you would keep your heart and mind pure and your hands and feet busy at his unknown coming. This is how we, I think, should live in our callings as we wait for His unknown coming. We are the bride of Christ awaiting His arrival, hopefully soon.

Practically when I walk around my home thinking about what this means I turn to the Proverbs 31 example, the image of a woman who was conscious in her daily high and holy calling. She was the woman that Titus spoke of when he told the older women to train the younger women... we can read that text of scripture and then see an example of what God was talking about in Proberbs 31. She is our ultimate vision as women living out His calling on our lives and she is the vision of a woman who lives in joyful expectation of her Lord.

This week at The Homespun Heart, Monica is encouraging us in one area of our calling which greatly reflects on the other 2 of being a wife and mother... Making Our Home a Haven. (HT to my amazing and encouraging friend Amy, thanks!)

To me - it means being intentional about investing in my home. The actual dwelling, those who live there, time together, and of course, others who will enter. Being focused on God in light of our responsibilities at home creates a precious view of our homes and our families.

Monica's personal reflection on what haven means to her above encouraged me to think about what it means to me. For me it is simply the dwelling place of our heart, a place where Christ is alive, where His peace reigns and provides shelter from the world that surrounds us, it is the place of launching His righteousness through our lives and children, it is the place where we are not only loved but loved, accepted and embraced even in our quirky-ness and where His grace is supreme. Making our home a haven means being conscious, staying awake in this highest and holliest calling of being a keeper of His home! A home is not always these things, but a haven is. A home is often fleed by its dwellers, a haven is the place we flee to. A home is not always safe, secure and sacred but a haven is... a haven of His righteousness always is. That is why our homes are not only havens for the indwellers but also the passerbys and daily visitors as some of them will flee their homes to dwell under the refuge of His righteousness found in the haven's we consciously labor in love for our family but mostly for our Lord.

This week I am going to be focusing on being a home keeper for the Lord... seeking Him in this calling... devoting myself to ways to improve and enhance my home keeper duties. Being a home keeper is not all about just keeping our homes clean, there is much more involved.

Today's challenge is to Tidy Up!!

(I will update tonight hopefully with pics)

JOYfully in Him,

Morning Devotion

2008-11-10T07:57:00.002-06:00

This morning I woke up only half heartedly ready to devote my day in service to the Lord. It is the beginning of a new week but I still feel somewhat hung over or burnt out from last week's busy and exciting schedule. These are the moments when I must simply walk obediently in faith... in discipline not so much desire and motivation. Sitting here on my couch looking out the window at the leaves softly and silently falling to the saturated ground from last nghts rain I feel calm and peaceful but I know that if I sit here to long I will begin to feel slow and lazy...

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A Beautiful Life

2008-11-08T21:32:00.002-06:00

I can not help but think about how beautiful life is or how beautiful it could be if we could but learn how to be free... and live simply in our Father's love... forsaking the cares of this world.

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Steven Van Kranenburg meets his sponsored child

2008-11-05T10:49:00.001-06:00

May COMPASSION burn with us drawing us closer to His heart.

A Very Special Day

2008-10-31T09:00:00.008-05:00

Today we celebrate Reformation day, the day Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesses to the Roman Catholic church. We celebrate Halloween, the day we simply enjoy dressing up and getting candy while trying to be lights in the dark places of this holiday. But around here it is mostly the day we celebrate the day God gave us our first born, Superman. The BiG: 8. Only... 2 away from double digits and 3 away from a teen.

Superman was given to us 8 years ago today... I am amazed at the boy that he is becoming and overly proud. He gives us such JOY each time he walks in the room.

Happy Birthday my "Superman" ELI

Then...

Now...

JOYfully in Him,

I Saw what I Saw ~ Sara Groves

2008-10-29T22:16:00.002-05:00

Abandon Tradition

2008-10-24T10:44:00.000-05:00

Jessica Leah Springer - "As John 4:23 says, Its time, as worshipers of God, to give him all we have. For when he is exalted, everything about me is decreased. So many times we stand in the way of really stepping into the secret place of worship with God. Just abandon tradition and the "expected" ways of Praise & Worship and get lost in the holy of holies with the sole intention of blessing the Fathers heart."

JOYfully in Him,

Natures Lesson

2008-10-22T10:31:00.002-05:00

I am so drawn to the colors and beauty of Autumn. This season never ceases to amaze and captivate me. To listen to the leaves celebrate joyously above and below as they fellowship in the trees and dance along the pavement. To watch them gently and silently journey through a frozen moment in time to a place beneath them I can not help but feel His peace and His grace. Observing His wonders of nature my heart is softened and gratitude and joy rejoice from with in me and the cross becomes clear in the moment and the so called trials of life are brought into a Christ centered and God gloryfied vision.

Everyday we face our own personal set of trials and struggles that if we look at them with out the lens of Christ will appear hopeless and pointless but with Christ they are seen in a new light, a God honoring, high and holy purpose to bring us closer to the image of His son and to bring about His purposes. Life has a tendency to become overwhelming and hopeless and can at times be extremely painful so it is important for us to keep our perspective clearly focused on God, His word, His Son, His Spirit and His holy purposes and goodness.

JOYfully in Him,

By Your Side

2008-10-21T09:19:00.002-05:00

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverence. Psalm 32:7 NIV

JOYfully in Him,

His Will

2008-10-20T15:50:00.003-05:00

Have you ever feared what the Lord's will for your life was? I am at a place where I fear selfishly what His plans are for me personally... am I ready? am I strong enough... mentally... physically? is my faith where it should be? I don't fear that His will is not good, for I trust that His plans for my life whether I agree or accept them right away are good and perfect and better than mine could ever be! I just fear that His will for me is going to be hard...

I long to say with my whole heart what Mary said to the angel in Luke 1:38 "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Oh the JOY of complete surrender to His holy will.. how I long to throw my hands up in the air releasing all my plans and ideas up into His hands.

In this moment where my inner flesh cries out in pleas of mercy from the possibility to come of the hard work that will cause sweat and tears... I pray that the Spirit will grant me peace and faith in whatever His plans of hard work for my future may be... only to Him be the glory!!

JOYfully in Him,

Full Attention Part 2

2008-10-15T09:58:00.001-05:00

Ignore the video images and just listen...

JOYfully in Him,

Full Attention

2008-10-13T21:14:00.003-05:00

Oh there are so many things that the Lord has spoken to me lately that I want to share with you but I don't have the energy or desire to type them all out. Life around here is getting crazy... a little sooner than I had expected. I realized the other day that I don't reveal much about my personal life as a seminary's wife soon to be full time youth ministers wife. The Lord has been continually faithful and present in our journey and I must acknoledge Him and give Him all the praise and honor. The last 4 years have been amazing in seeing God work in our lives so personally and specifically. When I look back on His providential hand I am just amazed, where He brought us from and out of and how. Oh, he is so GOOD.

One thing that He has taught me through the years is for one to TRUST Him even when things seem impossible, TRUST Him. I believe in a soveriegn God who has complete control of everything, of me and my life. In every place light or dark, sun shining or cloud hovering place in our journey He has always been faithful and worked everything for GOOD. But another thing that I have learned as I have walked this journey of faith... to give Him my FULL ATTENTION. When deciphering His will we naturally seek godly advice from trusted men and women and they always do just that but I believe it to be important that we don't give their words our full attention forsaking the voice and will of God. His voice should always ring louder than any mans voice no matter how godly and spiritual he is. You see when we seek advice from godly people we must stand guard that we only take it as far as it is in tune with the voice of God and in order to hear His voice loud and clear we MUST give Him our FULL ATTENTION in the word, in prayer and in our personal meditation times. His will and direction for our life will be clear... just listen.

JOYfully in Him,

Only by His amazing GRACE...

2008-10-06T10:30:00.004-05:00

"There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage." Martin Luther

Today is the day that we were joined in covenant with eachother as husband and wife, oh what a glorious day! It has been 8 years and I am still just amazed at where we have both come from, who we have become and the family that we have made all because of the Amazing Grace of God... the death of His son and the work of His Holy Spirit.

I am so overwhelmed with gratitude when I realize that God made us specifically for eachother... to live out His perfect specific purposes... overwhelmed.

Well... anyways... Happy Anniversary to US!

JOYfully in Him,

Record Keeping the Essentials!!

2008-09-26T08:44:00.004-05:00

Do you keep a grade book? Does your state require attendance sheets or a portfolio? What are some of the best methods of organization that you have found to keep up with all of the school records for the year? Are you an organizational expert or do you find it to be a hassle? What about online forms--can you recommend some good sites to others? Share with us your greatest successes and your greatest flops in this area!

Okay, so before I say anything on this subject I must point out that I am organizationally challenged... but am slowly getting better! I have been thinking about it lately and how I need to find something that works for me. In Texas we are a private school and not required to report anything to the state however I want the benifits from record keeping and in years to come I may need records from our first years of homeschooling considering we live by the command of God and go where He calls us, which could be anywhere :0).

I will be honest, record keeping and organization alone scare me and quickly overwhelm me. I was not taught how to be organized and so I struggle. So let me tell you what we do right now: when Superman finishes a project he hole punches it and puts it in his subject folder and any art of his he files in his own art folder. I keep my own little records on a little calendar where everything is written down as to what lesson we are to be on each week. Last year I made a Year at a Glance and will eventually get around to doing it again this year but we really just try to enjoy the whole process of living and learning and so not all of that can be "recorded". One way though that I am keeping records is to Weekly Reports which is working out great for me personally.

I am looking forward to reading Record Keeping the Essentials from other teachers!

Vist me at my Homeschool blog: Growing Minds of Wisdom

JOYfully in Him,

The Benifits of Excercises

2008-09-25T07:43:00.005-05:00

Sometime soon, I encourage you to take some time to dissapear in some amazing thoughts by Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience, you will be drawn in closer in your personal walk with your holy Father as you experience the joy and love in just knowing Him through her words .

JOYfully in Him,

Welcome!!

2008-09-22T09:24:00.006-05:00

Today... is the official first day of Autumn. I felt it's presence last week when we were blessed with cool breezes that past by each morning. We left the doors open and enjoyed each cool passerby. These last days have been warmer, a lingering Summer. Today I say... Fall... Leaves... Fall.

Falling Leaves

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow

Blossom where the rose should grow;

I shall sing when night's decay

Ushers in a drearier day.

Emily Bronte 1818-48

JOYfully in Him,

Our week in pictures

2008-09-19T07:31:00.005-05:00

Last Friday we, as a family enjoyed a local highschool football game. The littles of course loved it. It had been 2 years since our last appearance as a family to a football game. I enjoyed the thrills of watching the game and my children.

Here is a little peek into our week along with some quotes that encourage and express the struggles of my heart right now:

Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment;....but trust in GOD, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity.

Dwight L. Moody

If I cannot hear "The sound of rain' long before the rain falls, and then go out to some hilltop of the Spirit, as near to my God as I can and have faith to wait there with my face between my knees, though six times or sixty times I am told "There is nothing', till at last there arises a little cloud out of the sea, then I know nothing of Calvary love. (Read 1 Kings 18:41-45)

Amy Carmichael

"Stand still" - keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 37:5-7a

Contenment on Fire

2008-09-16T08:02:00.001-05:00

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Jim Elliot

JOYfully in Him,

The Boy and His Ramp

2008-09-09T16:12:00.005-05:00

Sometimes in life as a mother you encourage your children to seek victory over things, usually things that have some serious significance in their life and sometimes you just sit back and allow them to find it themselves. It is always an amazing blessing afterwards to experience their personal victories and to see their eyes lit with accomplishment.

Superman has always been a very determined young boy in the things that grab his interest, if he puts his mind and heart on something truly on something then it is certain that at some point he will have victory over it, on this day it was his ramp that he has had for almost a year. And right now he is busy at his desk conquering Classically Cursive, he has been there for over an hour and done over 20 pages! As his mother I didn't push the ramp and was pretty nervous as I watched him but I knew he was determined and ready or else he wouldn't have done it. He really amazes me... here is the video of his very first jump:

Ignore the loud overly excited momma behind the camera!

JOYfully in Him,

Back to School!

2008-09-08T06:33:00.004-05:00

I am in the middle of my first cup of coffee anxiously awaiting our first day of school at Growing Minds of Wisdom. At the end of the day I will post a reflection of our day at GMW, so come by and see what we did and how we did on our new found daily adventure. :0)

JOYfully in Him,

Stay Awake

2008-09-03T08:18:00.003-05:00

Therefore stay awake-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.

Mark 13:35-37

I read this last night while trying to stay awake. Oh God keep the words of Jesus at the front of my mind and steady in my heart today as I serve Him. That I might stand guard and awake awaiting His return. Father, keep my eyes open and help me: Stay awake.

JOYfully in Him,

A Perfect Duo

2008-09-02T07:43:00.003-05:00

JOYfully in Him,

In memory of Christian "Dozer" Drews

2008-08-29T09:53:00.005-05:00

My heart was torned open this morning when I stopped by Heart of the Matter to see what today's meme was and instead found a sweet homeschooling friend of mine had lost her precious baby boy, I was completely shocked and left in a place of disbelief. I couldn't wrap my mind and heart around the pain that Marsha and her whole family must be experiencing. As a mother my heart truly mourns the loss of their baby "Dozer" as if I were there with them and oh how I wish I were. I do not know Marsha and her family personally but I have been truly blessed and beyond inspired by her heart through her family blog, she personified the mother I so desire to be and I love listening to her proudfully brag and gloat over her precious boys.

Please... lift this family up to the Father in prayer. Let your heart spill over in love for them and if you would like for them to know you are in prayer for them:

Cards or Correspondence can be mailed to:
David and Marsha Drewsc/o Rachel Harris
12830 N. Cypress
LaneTomball, TX 77377

JOYfully in Him,

He is NEAR...

2008-08-26T15:38:00.004-05:00

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he

increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the LORD shall

renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like

eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

While we were away on traveling vacation the Lord continually encouraged my husband and I with these verses, it was amazing. He brought these verses into our view as if to say to us... I am HERE with you and I will give you strength. And let me say, we needed it. We were not able to get much sleep or many moments of solitude to just be in His presence to renew our strength like at home. At home you can retreat to your own room and be quiet with Him but during our stay away from home it was difficult to find that time. Butterfly struggled with sleep each evening only allowing a few hours each night and sicknesses plauged us as well as just late nights with family and new friends. When God does this and He does this a lot with me, shows me a verse and then brings it continually to my attention I try to meditate on it and understand what He is trying to show me. Sometimes I don't figure it out, I realize a deep sin in my life that He is convicting me of, sometimes He is just encouraging me in our relationship or guiding me, sometimes He is giving me wisdom for a certain situation or He is just letting me know that He is near and that He is all I need.

I wanted to encourage you today with the reality that God is near and to just encourage you to open your ears and eyes to Him in your day and realize His presence. Be in His word. I believe that God is truly with us, let Him encourage you, lead you, guide you and instruct you in His ways as you walk this sometimes difficult, lonely, overwhelming, stressful path of life and just know that He has not left you here to endure it on your own and with your own strength.

JOYfully in Him,

God my Father... Hallowed by Your Name

2008-08-17T15:11:00.006-05:00

I believe and have always believe that we serve a very personal and holy God but just recently I have come to know Him in an even more personal way; as Father, my Father. This is very significant for me because I have never had a father and to this day I do not know my real father. I believe that his absence in my life has had a major affect on my relationship with God as my heavenly Father. It has been a life changing realization for me to know Him in such a personal and intimate way, it has changed how I approach His throne of grace and how I understand who I am. In realizing this I truly understand my adoption and that Jesus as my brother and friend. I am apart of His eternal family.

On the 6 hour trip down here we listened to 3 different sermons by Piper and Washer and one of them struck a major heart cord with me that has continued to wring in my ears. So often we or I live with the deceiving idea that I do things simply in service for man in service for God when the reality found in the Lord's Prayer is that I do everything to hallow His name, to honor His holy name . That is what I live to do first and foremost, to hallow His most high and glorious name first and out of that flows the service of others. It is such a profoud reminder that there is no other like Him, He is set apart, He is the I am and I long only to serve and honor Him and in that everything else such as saving souls will follow in it's glorious shadow. Know what I mean?

We are getting ready for our "interview" this evening. They will have a meeting where all of the parents can ask us questions (scary) and then later Expresso will lead a devotional for the church and a devotional for the youth. We were both very encouraged by this mornings interaction with the youth and the church. We so long to just seek the Lord's direction in this, for His will not our own and it is so hard at times to seperate our thoughts and realize how much of them are ours and how much are His but we are deep in prayer and meditation.

JOYfully in Him,

Traveling Thoughts...

2008-08-15T15:21:00.000-05:00

We are getting ready to leave for 11 days, to visit family and interview at 2 different churches. My heart is in a state of mourning for just wanting to be home, to just dwell here and wait on my amazon homeschool package. We start school here on September 7, I am very excited and can't wait to get started! We will be studying all kinds of cool things as we live and learn together. I was really hoping that all of my curriculum would have come in already so that I could take it with me and plan out our year but I will have to wait until we get back.

I have a lot of thoughts about homeschooling and if you were to ask me about homeschooling I would leap at the opportunity to express my overzealous heartfelt love of it and importance of it. I am a huge homeschool advocate. I do not feel that it is something to be pushed onto someone but I do feel that it is something that ALL Christian parents should take into serious consideration in the perspective of eternity and a Christ centered education. I personally am in love with it, I can not imagine sending my children to the system of goverment education, I wholeheartedly believe God's design for children is to be at home with their parents, learning from them. I know that this is not the majority view, it is considered crazy that common "uneducated" parents could "teach" their own children but I think it is crazy to give my chilren to an "educated" stranger to "teach" them. Who's children are they? Mine or the government? The teacher's or mine? How can I allow someone else the responsibility of raising the children that God has intrusted to me? Homeschooling or home education is a life of sacraficing in many ways but God always provides, always! The blessings of teaching our children at home in the refuge of Christ far out ways the struggles and the ridicules.

I don't want anyone to read this post today and think I am judgemental in anyway towards those who choose not to teach their children at home, I am not. I simply want to encourage those who do not to dwell in the holy scriptures and pray about the opportunity to teach your children at home in a Christ centered education.

I found this little clip the other day that explains a sliver of my thoughts:

JOYfully in Him,

The Gospel in Parenting~Piper

2008-08-13T11:04:00.003-05:00

We are all better, praise God.

With my mind being pretty much consumed in thoughts on parenting I want to share these encouraging videos by one of my favorite preachers, John Piper. Sometimes I think that it is easy to put to much emphases on the law and not on the gospel, on works and not on grace, on discipline and not on training, on ourselves and our anger and not on God and His mercy and love. There has to be a balance between them, but most importantly we as parents need to realize that the gospel should be the foundation of all our parenting efforts.

Spankings don't save kids...

The gospel saves kids...

JOYfully in Him,

Home of Sicklings

2008-08-11T16:23:00.003-05:00

So how do you take care of your sick husband, your sick child, a messy house, your needy baby girl, show your oldest attention who is somewhat left alone and yourself who is holding back everything in her stomach?

JOYfully in Him,

Lead by Example

2008-08-10T22:52:00.003-05:00

"The children will follow the example, instead of following the advice." ~Lord Palmerston

Lord, let our words of encouragement and direction to our children not only speak to them but be a strong reality in their life as they see them living actively through us day to day.

JOYfully in Him,

Our "Sacred" Time

2008-08-08T15:02:00.004-05:00

I get asked the question a lot: "How many children do you want to have?" My response is usually a stumbling of words because my heart is a little unsure right now. I have not come to a complete understanding of what I feel God's will is for us as a family. There was a time that I felt that God was calling me to be one of the few "be fruitful and multiply" women but I have since come to the conclusion that this is not His calling on my life. When we first married I always had a quick anwser to the how many question, it was always 7. Why 7, there was not reason behind it other than it was the number of completeness and I thought a good number of children, well since then I have had 3 and struggle in motherhood as we all do for the most part. Don't misunderstand me, I LOVE being a mother!! It is an amazing privilege but one of the things that I really struggle with in having more children is spending time with them all individually. I know that it is not necessary but I long to show my children, all of them, the love and devotion that I never had. When I lay my head down at night I want to have a feeling of complete peace knowing that I have given all of my children an undivided peice of me and my time and part of it is for selfish reasons. I want that time, time to talk privately, time to connect, time enjoy a sacred moment together, time to worship, time to simply dwell in eachothers thoughts, dreams and imaginations and a time to just love them and be with them in the precious gift of time alone and uninterupted away from all of the noise and complications of life. A sacred place for us to just be us. I love all of my children equally and I just hate the thought of letting all of those possible sacred times slip away simply because I didn't make the time and then take the time for them. So I am commiting to make and take the time each and every day that God allows for us to have.

As for right now I think my plan is to dedicate 15-20 minutes a day of "Our Time" right before naptime. Today I experimented with it. Before I layed Butterfly down today I sat on the floor and just enjoyed some time playing with her, which was reading or flipping through as many books as she wanted to. Her face when she saw me sit on the floor and tell her to get some books to read was so sweet and priceless and I just knew that this was definetly something that I wanted to make a habit of doing every day. I figure I can do something of the same thing with T-Rex when I lay him down right after Butterfly and then spend some time with Superman while they are both resting.

My children are amazing and very eqaully their own person and sometimes it is hard to appreciate who they are, who God has made them to be in the midst of each day as their unique God given personalities clash together. I pray that God will bless this commitment and give me the perseverance and the desire and unselfishness to do it even on those days when all I want to do is lay them down so that I can have some "me" time.

JOYfully in Him,

Family Photos

2008-08-06T15:47:00.004-05:00

JOYfully in Him,