I am 9 minutes away from the beginning of my weekend! I love weekends because we get to just "be" with the kids. We generally don't have plans besides church, so there are no schedules to adhere to. Kevin keeps the kids on weekend mornings so I can sleep late, which would mean around 8 am these days.
I am really missing my church and my church family, but we talked to some people at our new church last weekend and felt very welcomed. Noly absolutely loved going to the new church and playing with the kids. There were only 2 other babies in the nursery with Jule, so I wasn't nearly as concerned about him getting sick as when there are 20!
I have my shopping lists compiled along with all the respective coupons. Hopefully, I can get the grocery shopping done tonight since some of my coupons expire today! Tomorrow morning, I have a hair appointment. I love being by myself and getting pampered once every other month : )
That's our weekend in a nutshell! Anyone care to share what their weekend is comprised of?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Ever Struggle to be Nice?
I am. Right now. Severely. You know how sometimes it takes every fiber of your being to be nice? I'm there.
One of my coworker/friends got a new job and stabbed me in the back on her way out. It was an outright betrayal, and I'm enraged and furious! Now, I know that the Bible says to "turn the other cheek" and to forgive, but I am having a really hard time doing that. Matthew 5:39 says, "But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." Psalm 55:12-14, "It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God."
Something I've been thinking about is how much easier it is to be hurt by a friend. They simply know more about you...your likes and dislikes, things that have hurt you in the past, things that elate you, your feelings/opinions on various topics. We really do have a lot of power over those we know intimately. On the other hand, we also have a lot of power to bless our friends in ways that those that don't know them can't.
I certainly know that I am guilty of hurting those that I care deeply for, and I need to work through this. Right now, my feelings aren't there, but I will work on it until they are. I'm sorry if this post is all over the place, but it lies in the midst of a war between what I want to do and what I know is right to do. And I do want THE RIGHT ONE to win...I want God to be glorious and radiant in my life. I'm still a work in process....
One of my coworker/friends got a new job and stabbed me in the back on her way out. It was an outright betrayal, and I'm enraged and furious! Now, I know that the Bible says to "turn the other cheek" and to forgive, but I am having a really hard time doing that. Matthew 5:39 says, "But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." Psalm 55:12-14, "It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God."
Something I've been thinking about is how much easier it is to be hurt by a friend. They simply know more about you...your likes and dislikes, things that have hurt you in the past, things that elate you, your feelings/opinions on various topics. We really do have a lot of power over those we know intimately. On the other hand, we also have a lot of power to bless our friends in ways that those that don't know them can't.
I certainly know that I am guilty of hurting those that I care deeply for, and I need to work through this. Right now, my feelings aren't there, but I will work on it until they are. I'm sorry if this post is all over the place, but it lies in the midst of a war between what I want to do and what I know is right to do. And I do want THE RIGHT ONE to win...I want God to be glorious and radiant in my life. I'm still a work in process....
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Jule's First Big Boy Haircut
Well, I finally did it...I finally took Jule to get his first major haircut. I wanted to cry when we left the salon because his looks changed so dramatically, but I adjusted to it through the evening.
Here is a recent picture before the haircut:
Here are some "after" pix:
He looks like such a big boy now. It's sad to see my last baby growing up, but it's also a very welcome thing because it brings a much happier boy with it. Now, if we could just get his reflux to go away! We love you, sweet Jule!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Noly is Home!
Noly came home Saturday afternoon! It was so nice to have her back home, though I did enjoy the break. Jule was very jealous of my holding and playing with her at first, but then he adjusted back to his old self. I honestly don't think they missed each other. Both got to be an only child for 2 weeks, and they seemed to enjoy that! It was nice to see them playing together again.
I'm finally feeling better. Last week was rough, and I felt horrible up through yesterday. Jule now has it and is crabby, but I think he's doing better than I was. He hasn't had a fever, and he is sleeping at night.
This week is back to normal. Friday, I have plans to go with a friend to a concert! That will be a nice break and a great time of worship!
I'm finally feeling better. Last week was rough, and I felt horrible up through yesterday. Jule now has it and is crabby, but I think he's doing better than I was. He hasn't had a fever, and he is sleeping at night.
This week is back to normal. Friday, I have plans to go with a friend to a concert! That will be a nice break and a great time of worship!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sick Again
I'm not feeling good at all...again. Sore throat, runny/stuffy nose and feverish...blah. Oh well. I did have a nice Memorial Day! We took Jule to get a mattress for Noly's trundle bed, then we went to 
the Outlets and found him a ton of clothes for $1.99 each! It's hard to believe this shirt is a 3T, and it almost fits my 14-month-old! I think the shirt is a little small, and he's a little big : )
the Outlets and found him a ton of clothes for $1.99 each! It's hard to believe this shirt is a 3T, and it almost fits my 14-month-old! I think the shirt is a little small, and he's a little big : ) Church went well, but I had a hard time emotionally. It was hard to look out over the congregation for each of the three services and know that it was the last time I would be singing in front of them. I have spent many years praying for all of them and preparing for the weekend services. I will greatly miss my church family. It's not like I can't visit, but it's not the same as being a part.
The emotion of the weekend brought back to my memory a song that I used to listen to years ago..."As Long As my Heart Knows It's You" by 4 Him:
God only knows how it must have felt
Out on the mountain where Abraham knelt
Deep in his heart, I’m sure it hurt to obey
Still he offered his son as if to say
CHORUS
I'm Willing to live, willing to die
Willing to make any sacrifice
I’m willing to go, willing to stay
Lord, there’s no price too high for me to pay
Any struggle that might come my way
I’m willing to go through
Just as long as my heart, as long as my heart knows it’s You.
How many times have you called for me
When my heart was willing but I was so weak
What I would give if I could only believe
That when I’m tested by fire I’ll always be
God wants my obedience, not my sacrifice. So, I'm going. My heart knows that He is speaking to me, so I will follow. I know that He will be faithful in this next season of my life.
Friday, September 4, 2009
What Was Abraham Thinking?
I'm sitting here thinking....I wonder what Abraham was thinking when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, his child of promise. Sure, Abraham had seen God come through on His promises, Abraham had seen miracles, and Abraham had a close walk with God. I think that when we hear about Mt. Moriah, we think that Abraham obeyed God with no questions, no hesitations, and maybe even no emotions...at least that's how I've often thought about it. But today, I started thinking about the human side of Abraham. I wonder if he questioned God. After all, he is the one who questioned God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. I wonder if he grieved. I wonder if he debated on whether or not to obey. I wonder if he ever took a few steps backward...away from Mt. Moriah. I don't have the answers to any of it, but I do know that God rewarded his obedience.
I'm feeling kind-of "Mt. Moriah-ish." The big unspoken is that I am feeling led to go to a different church. This is a huge deal for me because my church family IS my family here...the rest of my real family is 14 hours away, and I'm not very close to Kevin's family. I adore my church, I love singing on weekends, and I absolutely love listening to my pastor's sermons. BUT I feel God telling me, "It's time to go." It's not because I'm mad at anyone or disagree with anything. It's more about following His calling, His leading. His timing.
It brings me great pain, but I will obey. I believe He will bless me when I obey, but I will miss my weekly time with my church family so much. My church has around 3,000 attendees, and the church I'm feeling called to has around 300-400, so that will be an adjustment. We live far away from my church, and the new church is literally one mile from our house. That will make it so much easier with two small children, but I'm still sad. I spoke with the Music Leadership last night, and they blessed me in following God's leading, and I will be singing this weekend one last time. Maybe God will say, "Just kidding...just wanted to see if you were paying attention"??
I know that Isaiah 55:9 (The Message) says, "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." God has a master plan, and He alone is the One Who knows all, so I trust Him. But just as I've seen Him move and bring me my "child of promise," there's still a human side to me that questions, that wonders. But I know He is faithful, and I know that He calls for our obedience. So, here I am...ready to leap off the cliff, knowing He'll catch me, and knowing He'll do exceedingly above all that I can ever ask or imagine.
I'm feeling kind-of "Mt. Moriah-ish." The big unspoken is that I am feeling led to go to a different church. This is a huge deal for me because my church family IS my family here...the rest of my real family is 14 hours away, and I'm not very close to Kevin's family. I adore my church, I love singing on weekends, and I absolutely love listening to my pastor's sermons. BUT I feel God telling me, "It's time to go." It's not because I'm mad at anyone or disagree with anything. It's more about following His calling, His leading. His timing.
It brings me great pain, but I will obey. I believe He will bless me when I obey, but I will miss my weekly time with my church family so much. My church has around 3,000 attendees, and the church I'm feeling called to has around 300-400, so that will be an adjustment. We live far away from my church, and the new church is literally one mile from our house. That will make it so much easier with two small children, but I'm still sad. I spoke with the Music Leadership last night, and they blessed me in following God's leading, and I will be singing this weekend one last time. Maybe God will say, "Just kidding...just wanted to see if you were paying attention"??
I know that Isaiah 55:9 (The Message) says, "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." God has a master plan, and He alone is the One Who knows all, so I trust Him. But just as I've seen Him move and bring me my "child of promise," there's still a human side to me that questions, that wonders. But I know He is faithful, and I know that He calls for our obedience. So, here I am...ready to leap off the cliff, knowing He'll catch me, and knowing He'll do exceedingly above all that I can ever ask or imagine.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Decisions, Decisions
Well, we have decided not to move next year and have tentatively decided on the school we would like Noly to attend. We both feel like the longer drive would be too much for me on a daily basis, and the schools are not that different. We haven't found a new sitter yet, but we don't need one until May 2010, so I probably won't start looking until at least January.
The unspoken change that I mentioned before IS going to happen, but I still can't say what it is until after Thursday. I have been silent because I have spent a lot of time grieving the loss of the "old," and there is also some apprehension regarding the "new." BTW, we are NOT having another child, and I'm NOT getting a new husband!!! : )
I find it interesting how scary new things can be, but they really do increase our reliance on God. He's the only real stability and source of constancy, and He will remain the same from our old to our new. There is a part of me that is intensely excited about the new, but I think the fear of the unknown oftentimes wins out.
On a different note, Noly has been in Indiana with my parents since Saturday. It has been odd to only have one child, but it has been such a needed break. I was so run down and overwhelmed, and this is allowing me to catch my breath. She'll be back September 12.
Jule has been Jule....sometimes happily playing and other times screaming enough for 5 children combined. I really wish his teeth would not keep coming in so close together in time. He is only happy for a few days before he's a crab again. Poor little guy has had a lot of pain in his 14 months of life! On Sunday, we discussed going to our favorite restaurant with him to distract him and get him to stop screaming. For some reason, a change in atmosphere works with him. We talked about it, and at the last minute, I told Kevin I wasn't in the mood for it. We went to a different restaurant that neither of us are especially fond of (though Jule loved it). When I turned on the news a few hours later, we found out that the restaurant we almost went to was robbed at gunpoint right around the time we would have been there with our baby!!! God's hand was surely protecting us! I cannot imagine how scary that would have been if we were there with Jule...talk about anxiety-inducing! I am so thankful that God kept us not only safe from harm, but also safe from even the experience. I will have to visit there soon since I go weekly for lunch to make sure all of the workers are ok.
I promise to tell more when I'm able!
The unspoken change that I mentioned before IS going to happen, but I still can't say what it is until after Thursday. I have been silent because I have spent a lot of time grieving the loss of the "old," and there is also some apprehension regarding the "new." BTW, we are NOT having another child, and I'm NOT getting a new husband!!! : )
I find it interesting how scary new things can be, but they really do increase our reliance on God. He's the only real stability and source of constancy, and He will remain the same from our old to our new. There is a part of me that is intensely excited about the new, but I think the fear of the unknown oftentimes wins out.
On a different note, Noly has been in Indiana with my parents since Saturday. It has been odd to only have one child, but it has been such a needed break. I was so run down and overwhelmed, and this is allowing me to catch my breath. She'll be back September 12.
Jule has been Jule....sometimes happily playing and other times screaming enough for 5 children combined. I really wish his teeth would not keep coming in so close together in time. He is only happy for a few days before he's a crab again. Poor little guy has had a lot of pain in his 14 months of life! On Sunday, we discussed going to our favorite restaurant with him to distract him and get him to stop screaming. For some reason, a change in atmosphere works with him. We talked about it, and at the last minute, I told Kevin I wasn't in the mood for it. We went to a different restaurant that neither of us are especially fond of (though Jule loved it). When I turned on the news a few hours later, we found out that the restaurant we almost went to was robbed at gunpoint right around the time we would have been there with our baby!!! God's hand was surely protecting us! I cannot imagine how scary that would have been if we were there with Jule...talk about anxiety-inducing! I am so thankful that God kept us not only safe from harm, but also safe from even the experience. I will have to visit there soon since I go weekly for lunch to make sure all of the workers are ok.
I promise to tell more when I'm able!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)