I just can't get it together.

These past few days have been weird.  With the snow coming, most everyone in the house is sick and doing my usual duties around the house I've been feeling very disconnected from God.  I have a couple of books that I'm reading right now.  One on my own and the other one is for Life Group that starts up again on Friday.  I talk to Him almost hourly (raising a 3 year old requires a lot of help) and talk about Him daily. Yet, I still feel far away.

I read once that God with purposefully pull away to test us.  I feel it happening know.  But He won't get rid of me that easily =)  I'll keep plugging along.  We have an exciting weekend coming up.  On Saturday Scott and I are going on date to the Rock and Worship Roadshow here in Madison.  Singing Christian music with others always helps me feel close to God.  And on Sunday we are having a party with family and friends.  Celebrating something reminds me of the blessings He has placed in my life.

Until next time~

Do not be afraid.

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic… for the Lord your God with personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Our neighbors next door have 2 dogs, an older black collie type and a young black and white bird dog.  Kennedy loves seeing them; actually she loves seeing any dog.  Kennedy has been in love with dogs and puppies since she was a baby.  She loves to look at them, watch them play and petting them.  She really likes it when they are outside when she is.

Lexi on the other hand is completely opposite.  Whenever the dogs next door are outside and start barking she freaks out.  There is a fence that separates our yard from theirs so there is no threat of them getting to her.  Yet she stills cries when they jump up and down and bark.  Even if she is in the house and can hear them she runs to the opposite end of the living room crying until Scott or I pick her up to comfort her.  Lexi has a built in fear and needs her mom or dad to help her through it.

We all have things or situations we fear that cause us to run away crying.  The question is who/what do you turn to for comfort?  Personally I tend to run to food for comfort.  When I am afraid and upset I go to the kitchen and find something to ease my mind and feelings.  What I am learning to do is turn to God, to run to his arms for comfort.  It is hard to be open and honest with God.  And that is one thing that is on my list of things to work on in 2011.  I want God to take the place of the food I use to comfort my anxious heart and mind.  I know that God wants that to.

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalm 94:19

Until next time~

The way God works.

I love watching God work in the lives of those around me.  Today I got the honor of meeting the boyfriend of one of my best friends.  My friend Jolean is such a wonderful person.  She is so sweet and always looking out for those around her.  A few years ago she came out of a bad relationship and could of easily given up hope of finding the person that would love her like she deserves.  

Meeting Dan today was such an honor for me because I know how happy he makes her.  He is such a nice, sweet guy.   Like the rest of us their life isn't perfect.  Dan has been out of work for quite some time now and at the same time Jolean has been looking for new work.  But they remain supportive of each other, knowing that God is going to take them where He needs them to be.  This week alone they both had job interviews at places that would be great for both of them.

I've told Jolean to let me know when to start practicing her wedding cake and believe that someday I will be doing just that.  I am so happy for her and Dan, God has definitely brought them together for a reason.

Until next time~

New year, new changes

Well, the new year is here.  And like most people in the world I have some new goals to set for 2011.  This year we are going to have 4 separate categories for our goals; Personal, Family, Couple and Financial.  Scott and I haven't sat down yet to hammer out the last 3 categories yet and I haven't worked out all the details of my personal goals.  But I will let you in on some things that I am going to work on this year.

I am going to work on:

Eating healthier.  I know that I don't eat as many fruits and veggies as I should.

Reading 20 books.  This one will be easy, I love to read!

Being a more patient mom.  This one will need lots of prayers.

Becoming the woman God wants me to be.  Again, this one will need lots of prayers.

These are just some of the things on my list.  I know there are a few more that I will add.  And I know that the only way I am going to change is with God's help.  He is the only one that knows my true potential.  God is full of so much power and strength that I would be a fool to not tap into some of that and ask for his help.  Here's to a new year!

Until next time~

The Pacific

Even though Scott and I have never been in the military we love to watch military based films.  Whether they are based on true stories or not or are a documentary it doesn't matter we love to watch them.  Recently HBO came out with a 10 part mini series called The Pacific. It follows 3 Marines during World War 2.  We are hooked.  There is one guy in the mini series they call Sledge.  He is a follower of God and his faith is really being tested has he faces the nightmares of war.  We still have a few more parts to watch so I'm not sure how he makes out in the end but I will let you know.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ tomorrow please remember those men and women that are serving our country both here at home and over seas.  Please ask God to watch over them, protect them and draw close to them.

Until next time~

Such a long week.

It's been such a long week that I don't even know where to start or what to write about. I've been really trying to make sure that I have some one on one time with God each day.  It's just tough when the girls are up and the chaos they bring makes it hard to concentrate.  With Christmas less than a week away I'm making sure that we keep the reason for the season right in front of us. The girls have seen me volunteering at church.  Mackenzie even helped greet this morning by welcoming those coming into the building.  We are going to make some more goodies for the neighbors while she is on Christmas break from school.  And I think that I am going to make a cake for celebrate the birth of Jesus on Saturday.

Earlier in the week Mackenzie and I had a very nice conversation on the way to school.  She asked me if I knew of anyone that doesn't believe in God.  I told that yes I did. Her Uncle Rob, Aunt Heather and cousin Riley.  Her response - So that means they won't go to heaven when they die.  I let her know that she is correct.  With a confidence in her voice that spoke beyond her years she tells me - Well, I believe in God.  I was so happy to hear her say that my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.  Mackenzie is now at the age where she questions everything.  And I am so happy to be able to have these open conversations with her.

For the past few days I've had this unsettling feeling that God wants me to do something.  I just can't quite put my finger on what it is he needs me for. I think I might know what it is but I'm not sure how to go about making it happen.  As I continue to read The Purpose Driven Life each day clarity hasn't come to me yet.  I know that God will put me where he needs me when he needs me.  So in the meantime I need to make sure my ears are open to hear his whispers.  I'll let you know if God hits me upside the head with the answer. =)

Until next time~

Oh, how I love the Christmas season.

Hi everyone,

Sorry that I haven't written in awhile.  We've been busy getting ready for Christmas.  Last week the girls and I decorated cookies to take to our wonderful neighbors right next door.  They hold a special place in our hearts, especially this time of year.  See, we do not own a snow blower, just a plain ol' snow shovel.  With the winters we have been having the past couple of years we really get a workout shoveling.  When we get a good amount of snow they are always right there snow blowing our driveway before we even think about moving the snow. They don't do it because we ask, they are just great people and do it out of the kindness of their heart.

So the girls and I made them some cookies.  The first night we went to deliver them they weren't home.  Mackenzie was so sad.  She is such a sweet girl and she wanted to thank them for helping us out.  Mackenzie did get to deliver the cookies the next night.  She was so proud of the cookies her and her sister had decorated.  I'm sure that our neighbors will be getting a lot of cookies this snow season.

Yesterday, I made gingerbread men for the first time ever, from scratch.  It was also the first time I actually ate one.  I told Kennedy the night before that we were going to make them.  She was up at 6:30 yesterday morning wanting to make cookies. She had to wait of course.  Kennedy was such a good helper cutting out the cookies and even helped with decorating and clean-up.

All this talk about cookie making reminds me to stop and take in the little things this time of year.  A kind neighbor who helps you out, a grateful child and the wonders God creates.  The snow is falling really hard right now and the city is going to be at a stand still tomorrow. (We are forecasted to get up to 10 inches tonight.)  I hope everyone takes to the time to take in the little things.  God is so amazing and his beauty is all around us we just need to take the time to see it.

Until next time ~