Living life

Three and a half years ago my best friend went through a divorce. She asked to move her and her twin girls into our home. We said yes. At the time we weren't sure how long it would last. There have been ups and downs over the past three years but for the most part it works for us. Some people make assumptions about our situation. We share in parenting all the kids. My husband and I have five and my best friend has two. My husband is the father figure to all seven. BFF's two girls call my DH uncle, my five call bff aunt. The kids are growing up as "cousins". I am basically the stay at home parent to all of the kids. BFF works four 10 hour graveyard shifts a week, dh works five days a week. We have the ability to have someone close by nearly all the time. When I am in school, bff is usually at home. We may not be a typical American family but we are Christians, tax paying and loving to our extended families. Our children are blessed to have extra aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We didn't set out to live this way but it has more pros than cons.




 

A day for prayer

Today has been one thing after another.

Last night my aunt requested prayer for their families because her husband has been notified that as of June 30, he will lose his job.

This morning while at dance class, a friend called asking if her son could come over and play with the boys. She had to take her 5 year old to the hospital for testing.

 Mom called me shortly after my friend's son got picked up. My mom has been laid off her job effective immediately. Just last month they were able to buy a house for cash and are expecting to move in next week. God has provided them with a house without rent.

 Tonight my aunt has requested prayer again. Her sister-in-law was found dead at the sister-in-law's house God is faithful and I know He is holding my family and friends in His loving arms. May all feel those arms around them. This has been a long day.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1
 

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

Today is Groundhog's Day

The last few years it has been a day of sadness for me. It was a weird sort of special day for me and my gram. Since Gram passed away I have missed her especially on Groundhogs Day.

Today I am not sad, I am thankful. I had a special family moment with Gram for over 20 years. It was something we would talk about, share our memories of the Groundhogs day at the zoo in 1986. Groundhog's Day became a day for us to reconnect and laugh. We would share our love of February 2nd with other family members and friends, sharing the memories with them. Even though she has passed away I can still share the memories and cherish the relationship we had

This morning I am thankful for my Aunt Nancy for remembering and wishing me a Happy Groundhog Day.

I am thankful for God for giving me a wonderful extended family.

Daily reading

Exodus 16-18 and Matthew 18:1-20

In reading Exodus, I ask myself am I like the Israelite or like Jethro? The Israelite complained about no food. God provided food, warned them not to be greedy. Yet they did not trust Him to provide the next day. In their distrust, they took more than they could possibly eat. The food went bad. Do I do that, not trust God to provide for tomorrow? Am I a hoarder, saving for a "rainy day"? Am I being held back by my mistrust? I know in my heart of hearts that God will always provide for me as I can see He has done for years. Why must I hold on to the baggage? God is calling me to place my wholehearted trust in Him. He is calling me to live simply and contently in His loving arms. I need to trust Him to follow through with His promise. I want to be like Jethro and praise the Lord for all he is done.

Are you a complaining Israelite or a content and rejoicing Jethro?

Five Minute Friday ~ Tender

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go a little overboard encouraging the writer who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:
Tender…
GO!

Psalm 79:8
Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us!
Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
For we have been brought very low.

How often do we remember those who have wronged us instead of treating them with tenderness? I am often guilty of this with even my own children. Yet I expect them to be tender and forgiving and I expect God's tender mercy for my wrong doing.

Dear Father please forgive me for holding grudges and not being forgiving of others. Father teach me to be tender to my family and speak softly to them. I can only do this with Your help.

STOP!

Thankful Thursday

Today as January winds down, I am thankful for the snow on the ground, it will help provide water for our summer.

I am thankful for my long time friend, Kristy. We have known each other 25 years. Kristy is a godly woman seeking to serve him and her family with grace. I enjoy reading her blogs and following her life. We have gone from being childhood friends who practically lived at each others houses, to mothers living 2000 miles apart. We don't get to catch up nearly enough but I love her. Thanks Kristy for encouraging me to blog and finding great blogs.

I am thankful for a loving God who has plans for my life. My favorite verse

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

When life gets so stressful, I am reminded that He walks beside me and has plans and my best interest at heart.

judging

This Sabbath our sermon at church was on Don't Judge Me. Often we feel judged by others and will use Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged as our rebuttal. But yet aren't we judging when we give the rebuttal, assuming they are judging us. God abhors sin, sin cost Him Jesus. Jesus doesn't love us because He died, he died because He loves us. A long time ago I read Max Lucado's book, No Wonder They Call Him Savior. In the book Lucado talks about Jesus' last words "It is Finished" Lucado likens the words to an artist finishing a painting. Everything that happened from fruit was eaten to the cross all pointed to Christ's death, to Salvation. Christ died for us. He loves the sinner but HATES the sin. I am in awe of the Gift of Salvation.

Often I judge/compare myself to others. This is a way of making myself feel better about myself. When I really need to just focus on Christ and the cross. I will never measure up when I compare myself to others. Only through Christ will I ever be who He wants me to be. I need to remember to encourage others and not tear them down by judging them or elevating myself.

I am a Princess because my Father is the King of Kings and you are a Princess or Prince because you are a Child of the King of Kings as well!!!

Have a blessed day!

Good TImes

Tonight was a cookie exchange night. Oh the fun I had chatting with the couple of moms that came. We come from very different backgrounds but yet when it comes down to the basics we are the same. We are mother's, wife, child of God and most of all homeschooling moms. It is nice to be together, encourage one another in this season of our lives.

Five Minute Friday

Vivid memories of vacations with family. One of my most vivid memories as a child is going to Vermont to visit my step dads family for Christmas. Growing up in the city and with no snow we had a very different view of life then Vermont in a small town without even a stop light at the time. One of my favorite things to do was sled down the hill behind gram's house. We would start at the top and go forever down that hill. The hardest part was walking back up the hill through the snow. But oh the fun we all had. Then we would come back inside for something hot to drink. Those are the types of memories I want for my children, the joy and fun of being a carefree child.

Other vivid memories. To this day 29 years later I still remember getting baptized by Pastor Sharp the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is still one of my favorite hymns. Every time I hear it, I think of my baptism. God is faithful and is always there for me.

reminded

I haven't blogged in a long time. I forget to sit and take time to reflect on the big things in life and often dwell on the little things. I don't take pictures as often as I should because the background isn't just so, the house is a mess or the counters are cluttered. One day I will regret missing out on the "big things" which are often simple smiles or expressions or conversations. I think to myself I will remember that forever, but in reality how much will I remember 5 years from now when my oldest is 17 and my youngest are 10.

God help me to remember to reflect on the big things (my kids) and forgo the little things that wont matter in 5 years.