Merry Christmas!

The blessing of family.

The greatest Gift.

(yes, that is a baby Jesus duck in the manger)

Cupcakes to celebrate His birth.

The Christ candle...lit at last!

A white Christmas brought many happy faces :)

And the reason for it all...

For unto us a child is born, a Son is given...Joy to the world!

Enough

Plugging away until Christmas day :) I can hardly believe it's already here. This is such a wonderful season. I feel like I've been trying to work so hard at not being distracted this year, not being overwhelmed. But this week, I decided to stop trying. Maybe that's my problem. Stop trying. Just BE! That's what the kids do. They just are. They are themselves. They love big, they cry big, they play hard, they rest even harder (when they finally give in). I want to take a lesson from them as we experience Christmas this week. All it is. All it brings. I just want to be in it, in Him. Not trying so hard to make it perfect, or control circumstances, or even trying so hard to be at peace. Just focusing on the Lord. Allowing my heart to truly be the place where He dwells, no matter what may be swirling around me. Loving big. Playing hard. And resting harder. He is enough.

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Counting up 1000 gifts...
137. just enough time

138. just enough to occupy us for an icy day at home

139. the little one who woke up with a joyful song in his heart

140. another lesson in how to love a child better

141. just enough of a nap

142. a good book and a warm mug

143. lessons from the Jesse tree

144. Happy birthday Jesus (the song)

145. a hot shower

146. that the imperfect gingerbread house making was lots of fun :)

147. surviving the store trip with a long list and 3 "helpers"

148. anticipation of the coming of our King

He is the One

Monday, shmonday. With things being busy these days and with some unforeseen things that went on, Monday came and went. But I still count them up. The multitude of blessings. Working my way to 1000...and more.

This week I have been overwhelmed by the fact that He is enough. He really is the One.

The Reason for the Season.

All we ever need. All sufficient. All consuming. Truly Just. Truly Holy. Truly Merciful. Fully God. All in One person. His Spirit guides. His hand protects. His love comforts. His very nature restores, repairs, heals. Everything is not holly, jolly and perfect during the Christmas season. But He is bigger. And He is over it all. For that, I give thanks.

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#126-136

126. Luke's (gentle) tackles

127. early morning cuddles by the Christmas tree~because it's just too cold to start the day

128. patience granted while baking with little ones (after a moment of not-so-much patience, and a quiet prayer for help)

129. the gift of (is it a gift?) multitasking

130. healthy children in this house~not even a runny nose!

131. a lesson from a child who couldn't be thankful for what he had, but always wanted what everyone else had~"oh. i do that too." (sigh)

132. friends who love being with our children & babysit for free!!

133. holiday baking & making...& eating :)

134. the little one's cutest scowl face

135. brothers talking & laughing with each other by the light of their mini Christmas tree

136. the Restorer, Repairer of all things broken~Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Linking up with...

Christmas Fun

The Advent Wreath

A Christmas Parade
(which David slept through most of!)

A Winter Wonderland :)

Still trying to be still...

Keeping this short this week, because I am still seeming to be grasping for air during this hectic time, even though many would say my calendar doesn't seem that "full." There's just always something in the clutter of my mind. So I'm really trying to guard my moments of quiet (no matter how short they may be). This is a season of Joy. And this past week has brought no less than a multitude of things I can be thankful for, despite the ups & downs that this life brings.

Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift, as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 1 Cor. 1:7

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#113-125

113. Parenting reminds me of my persistent need for Grace

114. a moment

115. painted fingernails

116. a long overdue dinner with the sissies ~ senza bambini :)
117. a friend's smiling face

118. it is better to give than to recieve

119. Hope

120. unexpected snowstorm

121. the glorious white that covers over all

122. the story of the candy cane

123. "Joy to the world"

124. Peace ~ being still inside my body (as defined by a certain 4 yr. old)

125. the good work God is doing in him

Goats.

I don't know what kind of "following" my blog really has, or who actually takes the time to read. But today I feel led to share something that has impacted our life as a family, a charity we truly believe in and love, something that has now become a Christmas tradition.

If even just one person has never heard of giving a goat for Christmas, then this has not been for nought.

Check it out. You will be blessed to see how you can make a difference :)

Click here!

Multitude Monday

As I sit here right now, after hustling around the house frantically trying to get things picked up & put away before my precious nap time ends for today, I'm reminded of what it means to be still. I'm reminded of how easily my life can get extremely busy...before I even realize it...especially at this time of year. And it's most of the time for the sake of "good things." Busily decorating to celebrate the birth of our Savior, busily trying to make sure our kids can do all the crafts and baking and making they can so that they can get the most out of the season & it all will truly sink in; busily trying to get all the perfect gifts bought and made and wrapped and given. All good things. But I am reminded what it means to be still. To truly seek that which Christmas is all about. To bask in the awe & wonder. A Savior. Our Savior. Our desperately needed Savior. Was born. Died. Rose again. Lives. Amazing!

There is so much for which to be truly grateful. I am amazed at the multitude, the big and the little. In this season I hope and pray that we can find time to slow down, be still...and know that HE is God.

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On Mondays, I join with Ann Voskamp in counting up the multitude of blessings the Lord has bestowed. I'm working my way to 1000...and beyond. The gifts are endless.

93. our community

94. opportunities for our children to grow in the Lord as they learn

95. Starbucks with my hubby

96. excitement over AWANA

97. cooking with my Ma

98. hearing the many "thankfuls" of others

99. restless boys in church, eager to hold the hymnals

100. Thanksgiving turkey (of course!)

101. beginning to hear the heart of our oldest boy as he prays~a simply precious gift

102. made-up songs by Lukey

103. bunked beds

104. de-bunked beds...learning and growing on this parental journey (yes, someone fell, and thankfully he was okay!)

105. a crisp, cold morning in the mountains

106. a gracious family & a Christmas tree farm

107. my very able husband

108. that he gets the tree from the top of the car to the inside of the house, with lights on it, and all I have to to is wait & watch

109. peppermint mocha

110. the chaos of Christmas decorating

111. two helpful boys so excited to decorate...and one so eager to touch it all

112. the feel of bed at the end of a full day :)

Thanks + Giving...from the Multitude

This is our tree. Our thanksgiving tree. I cannot coin the idea itself. (You can find the post on the MOB society.) I am one of those wannabe crafty type people. I love the idea of crafts, and I enjoy going to the store to get all the supplies for crafts, and I even enjoy starting the craft...but many times I have found that I don't have the ability or perserverence or whatever to see it through to its masterpiece completion. That said, I am so thankful that God is not that way with us. He is totally crafty! He always completes his good works. And we are His masterpiece (even if I don't always feel like that).

My point of showing this crafty craft here is that it really challenged me in to thinking about Thanksgiving in a different way this year. Not just as a time to give thanks for the abundant blessings God bestows. But also to spur us on to giving from the overflow of those blessings. Hence the breakdown of the word...Thanks + Giving.

So we are trying to do activities with our kids this month that reflect this new outlook. With these posts of "multitude mondays" we have been talking a lot more about gratitude in our house lately. The boys have spontaneously started to share things they are thankful for, which has been such a blessing. We are all learning how to truly be grateful for the simple things. To worship Him for how He provides for us, in big ways and small. Every single day. And to tell others what He has done...to give out of the bounty of what we've been given. So we all sat down and decided on some ways we could help each other and others in our community this month. Whether it is giving food to someone, writing a card, or brushing the dogs, it is all about sharing His love, giving from what we've been given.

I pray this new November tradition will continue in our house. I pray our boys will learn this well. I pray we will live it well, all year round. Thanks...Giving. Hand in hand.
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Today I join Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience in counting up the multitude....

#76-92

76. grace for when my mouth keeps running

77. friends who make me think

78. a deal that went through!

79. God is so cool

80. not freaking out in the moment

81. accepting that which I cannot change

82. knowing how to stand on Truth

83. Him prompting me to do just that

84. a myriad of second chances

85. worship in a body flow class

86. childcare at the gym

87. Peace amidst chaos

88. beautiful jewelry for an amazing cause

89. that we didn't have to take a horse-drawn carriage to get to our destination

90. new memories with old friends

91. learning more about myself~His refining fire

92. appropriately being reminded that I am but a tiny ant compared to this great big God

Not feelin' it

"But I don't want to"

Those are all too familiar words in this house of preschoolers, said in a classic whiny tone, feet dragging on the ground, mouth gaping open and pointed downward in a frown, grumpy tears about to stream...

And to tell you the truth, sometimes I don't want to either. I've thought about this topic a lot. How so often our emotions lead us (me). I am so tempted to just go with the flow of "but i don't want to's". I don't want to reject the lies that I'm not pretty today. I don't want to follow through with that consequence. I don't want to be thankful for the mess. I don't want to love that person who is hard to love. I don't want to...

It is so tempting to step off the foundation of truth, the firm foundation, into the rocky soil of lies. It seems like it might be a better choice sometimes. It feels right to just wallow in it. But God doesn't ask us to do what feels right. He wants us to do what IS right. To believe that which IS truth.

When I'm just not feelin' it, I know I need to acknowledge those feelings. They are real. They are there. In my humanity, I will never stop feeling stuff. But then I need to lay it all at His feet, and replace the lies with truth. Stop standing on the feeling of "but i don't want to"...

I don't want to reject the lies that I'm not pretty (HE says I am wonderfully made...for a good purpose. HE thinks I am lovely~Psalm 139:14, Ps. 84:1). I don't want to follow through (HE tells me to be consistent...to train them up~Prov. 22:6). I don't want to be thankful (HE says to be thankful in ALL circumstances~1Thes. 5:18). I don't want to love that person (HE tells me that the greatest command is to love one another~John 15:17).

Replacing lies with truth. God's True Word. We all have days when we're not feeling like it. But by his grace we can choose to stand on that firm foundation. Only by his grace.

Multitude

Today I am reminded that He is soveriegn. Over every detail. Every best laid plan. He knows what we need. He is faithful to provide.

And I am thankful.

# 68-75

68. the little boy who loves to play with my hair

69. the one who has the cutest smile ever when he wakes from a nap

70. the one who can tackle you to the ground with a hug, but every time there is love attached

71. little boys pushing trucks in the yard

72. meeting a lovely lady and talking with her about life, her mission, her burdens...and the privilege of bringing her to the throne of Grace

73. planting flowers

74. hayrides, campfires and smores

75. God is sovereign

This is my story, my song.

Some days I am overwhelmed. Some days I am weary. Some days I'm just spent.

This world has so much to offer, so many pick-me-ups, so many ways to numb the feelings we feel. But one of my favorite ways to revive my spirit on days where I am feeling heavy with all of life is by pumping up the music. We love music in this family. I am blessed to have a very gifted husband who can sing just about anything and likes to do that, just about all the time. When things are getting heated in the car (i.e. kids throwing things, whining or yelling at each other), we have been known to just turn up the music and sing praises loudly to the Lord. I mean, we probably won't damage their ears. I'm sure they'll listen to it much louder one day. It is balm to our soul...and it really does work to change their behavior (most of the time).

So I've been feeling led to share a few lyrics to some songs that have "shuffled" past me & imprinted on my spirit of late...

Even when I don't see, I still believe (Jeremy Camp)

To win you've got to come in last place (Audio Adrenaline)

Whatever's in front of me, I choose to sing "Hallelujah" (Bethany Dillon)

I am (He is) constant, I am near you...I'm the only One who knows your hearts desires (Jill Philips)

And they'll know us by our Love (Christy Nockels)

I realize that falling down ain't graceful, but I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace (Andrew Peterson)

And when the saints go marching in, I want to be one of them (Sara Groves)

It's more than enough just to know I am loved...and You are good (Nichole Nordeman)

Still is my soul... (Jill Philips)

This is my story. In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. How can I thank Him? What can I lay at the feet of this King? With every breath, I want to be faithful, to serve him, to praise him, to love him...to sing to him. He is holding my life in his hands.

Multitude Monday

Giving thanks is so relative to what we experience sometimes. I might be thankful for butternut squash, you might be thankful you don't have to eat it. But the point is it is all gratitude. And what is gratitude if we are not thankful to someone...for something? What is it, really? It is cool to be grateful, it is trendy, it is accepted, it is desired...but all for what?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17

Every. good. gift.

I believe He knows what it takes to reach our core. What will spur us on to give thanks. To be truly grateful. He knows that hole in our soul. That one that only he can fill. And he fills it. Whether we know it or not. That overwhelming feeling of gratitude. It is all for Him. The one who creates. All good things.

# 51-66

51. a great photographer, and new friends

52. moments of brilliance

53. the depravity of my flesh...overcome by a gracious God

54. a rainy cold day, a warm fire to sit by

55. daddy took over

56. a nephew searching for Truth~his heart such fertile soil

57. time with my sisters

58. laughter among cousins under the table

59. a beautiful sky lights my way home

60. missionaries

61. a tiny hand on my face

62. the way they run to me when they're hurting

63. the excitement of packing a box for another

64. knowing that God knows already who will get that box & cherish the contents inside

65. piles of clean laundry that can wait

66. a man who stands for his convictions

67. a kiss on a boo-boo still makes it all better :)

Why bad guys?

Have you ever pondered this question? Probably so, to some extent. We all have. When something bad happens, we wonder why. We ask God, "why?" But I have been pondering it more these days in response to little boys who want to be the bad guy sometimes, and they wonder why it's not okay to repay "evil with evil" (or hit someone who just threw a toy at them). We tell our kids these truths from God's word: "treat others how you want to be treated," "be kind to everyone," "honor one another above yourself." And sometimes that's a good enough answer. Though when I was with my 8 year old nephew this weekend, I realized that it won't always be enough for these little ones. They begin to really question the world. Why can't I do something mean back to someone who's been mean to me? It seems fair. They did it first!

Then I was led this morning to Psalm 37. God is so wise!

"Do not fret because of evil men...Trust in the Lord and do good...Delight yourself in the Lord...He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn...Refrain from anger and turn from wrath...evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."

Wow! It was like God knew I was working this out in my spirit before I even did. I just have a passion for the little boys in my life to be warriors for God. It is so vital for them to know that God is the ultimate judge. Life is hard. People are people. They will be hurt...many times. I just long for them to understand that no matter what--there is no exception--God is good. He is sovereign. He cares. And He loves them. No matter what. He can be trusted.

It might not always seem like the "cool" thing or even the best idea to do what's right in God's sight. To live according to His word, instead of by the standards of the world. It might not seem like the bad guys are getting what they deserve. But in the end, it will always pay off. We will inherit our "land"...our inheritance in Christ...and the wicked will be destroyed. God is our righteous judge. The bad guy never wins!

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." Psalm 37:39-40

Some glimpses of Fall...

celebrating our 7th anniversary

visit to the pumpkin patch



cousin Maggie stays for the weekend

fun with the leaves

david's silly adventures

pumpkin bash 2010

our little superheroes :)

Multitude Monday & "the diva"

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory..." Ephesians 3:20-21

According to His power.

Today I am joining Lara one more time in recounting the month with the lady of Proverbs 31. She is a woman of noble character. A mighty warrior of a woman, you might say. Throughout this month, Lara and her guest writers have talked about the various qualities of this woman, and had some amazing insights into who she really is. This picture God painted in scripture is for a purpose. Not to condemn or cause us to feel guilt or shame, but to uplift, to encourage, to spur us on to all we are called to do and be.

I am tying this into my "multitude" post for this week because one of the main things I have gained from this study of Proverbs 31 is something I am eternally grateful for. That thing is that it is by His power alone that I can do anything. The Lord is my strength. He is my portion. My song. My life. If I do anything good. Anything that means anything, it is because of Him.

I am so thankful that God alone can make me this woman of noble character. This Proverbs 31 diva. She is wise, resourceful, loving, kind, at peace, prepared, beloved, blessed, secure, beautiful. I believe He is sculpting me into her right now. Maybe he's doing that for you also. No, I know he's doing that for you. He's always at work within his children.

So, today I am thankful for His power. That He does immeasurably more that all I can ever ask or imagine, through me! Amazing. Beyond understanding. God.

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Through this past week I've also found these things to give thanks for...

# 42-50

42. a moment to get to know my son's preschool teachers
43. the wonder of library books
44. that God made T-rex
45. the farmer's market on a crisp fall morning
46. a bouquet of fall flowers
47. that our kids have amazing friends
48. true rest comes from the Lord, every time
49. excitement over the possibilities
50. this mystery of being a Proverbs 31 woman, by His power

Marriage.

I have a heart for marriage. If you didn't already know that about me, you do now! Not that everyone should be married; we should all live as we are called. But that those of us who are married are called by God to live this thing out to the best of our ability, for His glory. It is no small task.

Why am I writing a post about marriage? Mainly to express this burden within myself and to give testimony to my children. There is warfare, people. Marriage is under attack in this world...by one who seeks to destroy. And I believe he's doing it slowly and deliberately, not overtly or impulsively. We have to be on guard!

So here are a few thoughts & prayers from my heart...

Marriage is:

~two becoming ONE. (Gen 2:24)
That means we are a team, not each man (or woman) for himself. We're not supposed to just coexist under one roof. No, we can't make our spouse change into who we want them to be, or think they should be. But we can be committed to the greater good of the whole, meaning the marriage itself, believing we can reach this state of oneness that God intends. There is always hope!

~sacrifice.
Not standing up for my rights or what I "deserve"...to have things my way, or to get a break or whatever. It's laying down my life for the other person every single day. Placing his needs before my own. Again, to ultimately be in union with him, before the Lord.

~glorifying to our God.
Ultimately I think marriage is the most intimate relationship that God calls us to on this earth (below only our relationship with Him). Marriage is often referred to in comparison with Christ and the church in the New Testament for a reason! It is the ultimate picture of glorifying the Lord in relationship. Does my marriage look like this to the world? When this is what we seek to exemplify, together, then I believe we can be most effective for His kingdom and can experience the abundance God desires for us to have. He came so that we may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL! (John 10:10)

~not easy.
It takes work! It sometimes requires some pain to get through the "stuff" before we get to the blessing. it requires some hard conversations. But it is so worth it. I don't say that from this place of "all is good because my marriage rocks." We have been through our hard roads, and we will no doubt encounter some more, but we are committed to claiming victory over the attacks the enemy tries to wage on our marriage. As we tell our boys, the bad guy never wins...unless we let him. Christ is victorious. He can redeem all things.

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Father God, thank you for this thing called marriage. I pray that my heart for it is your heart. Change my desires to match yours. Help me to lay down my life for my husband every day. Show me how to do this thing like you want me to.

I pray for "the ones" who will cross the paths of our sons...Lord, may they follow you and seek you above any other affection on this earth, and may their hearts be to honor you in marriage. May our sons place a high regard on marriage, and seek to uphold it to all that you desire. May they truly experience your abundance in marriage one day, Lord.

Lastly, I pray for all those marriages out there that seem hopeless. Father, redeem them. Be victorious. Open hearts, soften hearts, convict hearts...like only you can. Help us to live in this union to reflect you, Lord. All for your glory.

Multitude...

So, it's Tuesday. I'm thankful for grace! I knew when I started this that I probably wouldn't get it done first thing every Monday morning. I mean, come on, I can sometimes barely manage to get the kids fed at the appropriate times and the kitchen cleaned (enough to make the next meal). But that is what grace is for. I am working on that in myself right now. Or I should say, God is working on that in me.

Having grace for myself.

It's a hard thing. But I know that if HE thinks I am worthy of grace~only by the blood of Jesus~then I need to believe it too. Grace for the moments. He knows my humanity. He knows my weaknesses. He knows that I tend to be the queen of starting things and not quite finishing them...or doing something possibly only (gasp) halfway. And yet, He saves me over and over again. From myself, from what I am capable of in my flesh, from cycles of defeat.

Today, I am praying I will be more thankful than I was yesterday. And today, will you join me in being thankful for Grace?

#33-41
33. hands
34. that he asked me to be with him
35. our sweet niece :)
36. pumpkin spice creamer
37. little girl hair to braid
38. the innocence of young boys
39. family walks
40. that I am loved
41. our other niece (happy birthday, Finley :)

Clothed.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)

I can't do this. I have nothing "life altering" to share. I'm not insightful. I am not a writer. I can barely do anything worth anything these days. What do I really do anyway? I mean, compared to [insert name of friend who seems to have it all together] I am just pretty ordinary, and my life is pretty...boring.

Lies. Lies. Lies.

This is so often an example of a thought process in my head. Can you relate? We all do it. It's called insecurity. It might look a bit different to each of us, but the dialogue in our heads is constant. Satan trying to feed us lies, get us to disbelieve God about who we are in Him. It creeps in slowly; it festers. It poisons relationships. It makes us restless. Makes us feel naked and...ashamed.

She is clothed.

By who? The Almighty God himself.

With what?

Strength & Dignity.

To continue reading please click on the link below as I join my friend, Lara, today in digging into Proverbs 31...

Multitude Monday

We were blessed to be able to attend a marriage conference this past weekend in the mountains. It was beautiful. Serene. Majestic.

It is so amazing to be reminded of the Lord in His creation. The fall breeze rustling through the colors--red, orange, yellow, brown. The mountains rising slowly as we climbed. Then we reached the top. Glory! It surrounds us. Perfect mounds with millions of trees. Like God just put his foot down on the earth and they squished up between his huge toes.


It's easy to be thankful in a scene like this. When you have time to reflect. Quality time to spend with the one you love. But then you come back. Back to life. Reality. Schedules. Kids. It doesn't take long for the crazies to set in. I just want to show thanks in those moments too. To give thanks for this opportunity to serve my family, to be where He has put me now. I want to live in a constant state of worship, of gratitude. The one who made those mountains is the one who sits right here with me now. To him be the glory. Every moment. Giving thanks.

#17-24
24. the lady who reminded me to "seek His face, not his hands"
25. the littlest boy learning to pray
26. the stillness of 2pm
27. a marriage retreat
28. the power of Christ
29. clean water
30. surrender
31. the leaves
32. my mom

Multitude Monday

And this is Monday. And I am reminded again. To be intentional. To give thanks in the moments. To look for the blessings. They are there. He is there. Always loving, always refining, always giving. Abundant, overflowing blessings.

"Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give THANKS in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

# 16-23
16. Hebrews 10
17. receiving a beautiful note of thanks in the mail
18. laughter between brothers
19. little voices singing praise in the back of the car
20. family
21. my oldest being thankful for "time with mommy"
22. Sunday siesta
23. honest conversations

Wanderers

I am currently in a women's bible study at our church that is reading the bible through. This week we are studying "Numbers." Not really a book I go to frequently when I pick up my bible. Maybe you don't either. I have been humbled to see God speak to me here and now through this book I may not have once thought of as the most approachable one of all.

We have been dealing with some behavior stuff lately (what parent of young children isn't). It's called D.I.S.R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Ugh! It stinks! We often feel like our 4 year old talks to us as if he's a teenager. Us: "Please pick up that toy and put it where it belongs." Him: "No, I don't want to. I won't do it. No. You can't make me. I want to do xyz." And he runs away. That might seem like a silly example, but there have been moments where I seriously just feel like he treats me worse than the ground he walks on, like he has not one care in the world but himself--ever. Now, I know he's a preschooler, and his behavior is "normal" for his age. I also know he is not yet filled with the Holy Spirit to guide him as a believer. But Tom & I are not raising our boys to act this way. Our heart is that we want them to have a great respect for authority, which means they first learn with us as their parents, and then goes down the line from teachers, coaches and friends, ultimately to be transferred respecting God Himself, and obeying his Word.

Well, apparently God had some problems of his own getting the Israelites to respect him back in the day too. It's amazing to see the similarities. He rescued them from Egypt (Exodus), from slavery, brought them out of that land literally by his own hand. They praised him & loved Him. Then he lovingly laid down some laws for them (Leviticus) to protect them, and to show them how to live abundant lives in fellowship with Him and other people. They obeyed...pretty much, at first. Then God started taking them on their journey to the promised land. He led them by the hand, never leaving their side. But as soon as they got their glimpse of that land, they forgot all about God. They went their own way, they got scared, they complained that God had abandoned them and did not want to give them good things. They actually asked to go back to a life of slavery, instead of walking obedient and believing God actually did know best!

So God had no choice but to discipline his children. The Isrealites began wandering for 40 years in the desert until all the people who had complained and grumbled against God had died off, and then their children could go into the promised land (along with Joshua and Caleb, who did choose to believe God).

Where am I going with this, you may ask? I guess I've been pretty discouraged by the respect issue lately. Feeling like we must be doing something majorly wrong here. Something is not getting through. Our kids are on their way to becoming spoiled brats. But I think God is teaching me that this is NOT a new thing! And he's teaching me how to love my kids like he so faithfully loves us. He does discipline. In Hebrews 12 he reveals his motive behind discipline...LOVE. Of course! Like a father loves his son.

"...God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." Heb. 12:10

God doesn't make us respect him. He doesn't demand it. Yet he faithfully disciplines. He might have felt angry and even sad when the Israelites chose not to believe His promises and walk in obedience, but He didn't lash out. He just gave them a consequence that fit the behavior.

We are praying for wisdom now in this. Lord, guide us to be parents who honor you and love our kids well. Help us not to demand respect or obedience out of our own selfishness, but help us to gently guide these boys in your ways. Give us wisdom on how we should do this in practical ways, with each moment that arises. Thank you, father, for the gift of your Word. It is timeless.

Minefields

Don't know if your day might have you dodging (or dancing in) some minefields, but I just really like this song. Maybe you will too :)

Multitude

"You alone are the Lord...you give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6

Today I give thanks. I give thanks because He alone is God. He alone is worthy of all praise. He is the giver of all good things. With the multitudes, I give thanks.

Here are a few things that stood out to me this week. On my way to 1000. Reasons, big and small, to worship...

#6-15
6. sunlight through the trees
7. butterflies
8. the Holy Spirit
9. second chances
10. that playdoh is non-toxic
11. a boy who fell asleep next to me
12. "no boo-boo this time" (from our middle child)
13. prayer
14. the trust of little ones in God's house
15. this day, 7 years ago, when God gave me an amazing blessing, my husband

Naptime.

The Lord gives rest.

I don't know about you, but I NEED naptime!!!! I love being with my boys. I do. But I also crave time alone. Time to "do", time to reflect, time to sit, time to read, and occasionally time to nap myself. Time to be alone with my God. To take my cares and lay them at his feet.

But as all good things in life, there is one who seeks to destroy. He is the enemy. He can take something that seems so right, or at least, not bad in any way, and twist it just enough to make it a stronghold. Something that holds us in bondage. I have experienced that with naptime. Almost from day 1 of my first son being born, I struggled with a baby who didn't need nearly as much sleep as we (and most of the newborn books out there) thought he should have. It was a daily struggle. And then number 2 came along, and he has always been a good sleeper. Until now...when he fights for his independence, trying to come out of his room multiple times at nap or bed, saying he "needs something." And then #3. He takes after his oldest brother and also seems to be following in the footsteps of one day becoming a surgeon or pilot or some other person who needs much less sleep than average. He's a happy little guy, but when it comes to sleep, his first year of life did involve a lot of crying~for both of us.

All this to say, God has made it pretty clear that he is trying to teach me something through this! He is teaching me patience and gentleness and love. Ultimately, though, he is teaching me how to give up those famous reigns of control that I so tend to grab at every turn. Trying to control my children's naps. Seriously. If that's how he's going to teach me, though, I want to learn it now and learn it well.

I have learned to pray over them and myself every day..."Lord, let us get the rest that our bodies need, whatever that may look like today." I have learned to humbly ask for their forgiveness after making a big deal about sleeping yet again. I've learned to let go.

Rest, rejuvenation, restoration. Only God can truly bring.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62: 1-2

Multitude Mondays

I have been blessed in this blogging world. I am not one who pours over them for hours and hours. I admit I don't always keep up with what I need to read, let alone what I want to read. But I do enjoy dipping into some of these gifts. And I believe that God is there. He is leading, even in where my mouse clicks next. I am seeking. He is faithful to lead.

I'm not even sure how I happened to come upon Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience. I think it was a link on a friend of a friend's blog at some point. And when I ventured there, I discovered a gift. An honest, humble, gracious, God-fearing woman who is sharing her gift with the world. Her words are beauty on the page, inspired by an intimate walk with her Creator.

So I am joining her in an endeavor she started called "Multitude Mondays." It's an endeavor of gratitude. Being intentional to see God in our moments and to give thanks. We were designed to praise.

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." Psalm 8:2

My goal for now is to come up with 1000 gifts. 1000 things to praise God for. 1000 moments of gratitude.

So I'm going to keep a running tab all week and every Monday, I'll document them on here (sometimes they might come straight from the mouths of babes). You are welcome to join me in giving thanks in a comment. I'm excited to start living more intentionally, giving thanks for the multitude of blessings He has bestowed. His gifts are truly endless.

Here's my list from the past few days...

#1. picnics
#2. little hands
#3. time--the grace to have enough to do what truly needs to be done
#4. boys who still like to cuddle
#5. a husband who wants me to sit with him on the couch...even if i usually end up falling asleep ;)

A blessing from the Lord

One year ago... And today...
We love you little doodle :)