Happy Christmas to you!

Happy Christmas
2008
The snow is falling
On this cold winter’s day,
We greet you this year,
Merry Blessings today!
Mac takes such care.
So helpful and kind,
While dancing and prancing,
To the tunes in her mind.
Mae is the cuddliest
Hug-buggliest friend,
She will love you forever,
Always there to the end.
Li-Li’s SO big,
A whopping age two.
Her new favorite thing..
Making hand prints with glue.
Jeff is our rock,
Everyday we’re amazed,
That he is the one
Who walks through the days.
Looking after us all,
With the greatest of care.
A gift from our Lord,
That we all get to share.
So rejoice with us now,
Another year has just passed.
But the blessing of family...
And friendship will last.
Much love to you all!

Jeff, Kat, Mac, Mae, and Lil’ Li-Li

Every once in a while...

I stumble upon something that just really hits home. If any of you have loved ones who struggle with a chronic illness...please read The Spoon Theory.

Many Blessings to you all!

Needing to take a break, I grabbed some art books and let the kids have at it.

Mac's version of a piece by Henry Stacy Marks.

Taking a day off can be the most productive move one could make!

Wanting to say thank you...

to all of you who have prayed, encouraged, and walked through the last few weeks with us. Your friendship and love have meant a great deal to us all. The Lord is teaching us to walk patiently with Him day by day...giving our cares to Him as we seek His will and direction in our life. Mac asked me yesterday what I thought God was asking of us right now...and I told her to grab her Bible and look up some verses. Somehow we ended up in Micah...Micah 6:8...

Oh man...what is good:

and what does the Lord require of you....

But to do justice, to LOVE kindness...

And to walk humbly with your God!

Mac asked me what it meant to LOVE kindness...and I asked her to think of something she absolutely LOVED? Something she cherished, she adored? Something so important to her...it is all that is on her heart and mind?

Just imagine if we focused on kindness that way? Just imagine what sort of a person we would become, if all of our energy poured into showing kindness to everyone around us...all of the time?

The change in our hearts, the change in our behavior, the change in our attitudes would be remarkable...and such a testimony to God's loving kindness in our lives! If kindness consumed us...we would chase away those dark selfish thoughts...and become beacons of His everlasting light!

This cheered me up today!

I normally stay away from politics on the blog...but I just could not help myself.

Facinating stuff, ehy?

Wild Child!

Leave it to Li-Li to lighten things up!

*SIGH*

So the latest news is he has been placed with some paternal aunt. Mom has been left to figure out her life on her own, they will not provide services for her anymore. If his safety is compromised while with "Auntie Whoever"...DCFS will have to find "other options." We have requested to be that other option. Who knows if we will ever hear from any of these people ever again.

He will be bounced from place to place now.

SIGH

Is he safe?

That is the question that now haunts us. There is no way to know. We hope...prayed...and let go. Now our heart is filled with panic.

Bio-mom checked out of the shelter. She took our Little Man, threw away whatever hope there was for healing....and decided she could do it on her own. We are praying that if our sweet smiling Little Man is in harm's way...the Lord will shield him...and somehow get him back to us...

He's gone...

It's just too much this time. It is much too quiet. The worker came early to pick him up. I wanted that extra time...just quiet snuggle time before she came. Instead we were all rushing...I ache for him. Mac sobbed.

I CANNOT TAKE MUCH MORE!

There was a "final" ruling today regarding the custody of Little Man and his lil' sis. We were under the impression that everything was settled...and they BOTH would be awarded to his mother.

From what we can gather, Mom asked judge to give her custody of Little Man. She wants to wait 6 months to take custody of Lil' Sis....just to get herself "ready?" And wants the judge to award custody to bio-dad. When the judge heard this, he awards Long-Term guardianship to the grandmother! That is right! Yes, you heard me right. Mom shows up at court, with all her ducks in a row...and then hesitates about taking custody. Judge, seeing inconsistancy, hands this 3 year old girl right back into the hands of these sick people, because it is all she has known!

Mom will have to GO BACK TO COURT in order to regain custody of Lil' Sis. And if something happens while she has custody of Lil' Man, more than likely he will be placed with Grandma, too. He will never make his way back to us. Mom has just slammed the door shut on that option, when she lost Lil Sis to Grandma!

Why is the world like this?

So our little man will be handed over to his mother on Monday! Will she fight for him? Or will she loose him, too?

He will be leaving on Monday.

Once again...no words...

More News on our Little Man and his Little Sis!

The judge has ordered that the grandparents may not have custody of the kids! Lil Man and his sis will be handed over to their mother in the next 10 days...

Mom is highly motivated and treatment has been successful thus far. She will be transferred into well-run shelter when she regains custody of the kids. She will have tons of support. This shelter is highly regarded and will provide all the help she needs to eventually be on her own. We are relieved that the kids will not be with Grandma any more. But sending our Little Man off will be so very difficult. We are rejoicing in the healing that has taken place. We pray that Mom will continue to heal and work to be what her children need her to be. And we humbly come before our Lord, asking His protection over them, and begging Him to send them back to us if the journey to healing takes a detour. Please rejoice and pray along with us for this family!

Yes...actual "news..."

She is staying with the grandmother. No words...just....tears.....

The Little Man and his Little Sis...

We just do not know what is going to happen to Little Man's "big" little sis....there has been no word from the DCFS social worker. All I can think about is this little girl... living in this...sigh..place...the fact that she has known nothing else. The whole thing is sad, scarey...overwhelming.

Yes...OVERWHELMING.

What will happen to this little girl? I cannot write anymore. I wish the phone would ring with some actual "news."

I wub my hubby...

This is what he came home with today!

He is still with us!

The Little Man is still with us! We are praising God for allowing us the priviledge of caring for Little Man for a little while longer. We are so thankful to all of you who have been lifting our family in prayer...so thankful for the peace that has surrounded our hearts, (well...Kat may have fretted a bit here and there...) the wisdom and insight He has bestowed upon the workers...and an awesome and mighty work He is doing in the hearts of the birthfamily...

We do not know how long Little Man may be with us...his stay may be shorter than we would ever wish for...but we see glimpses now of how God may be healing a family...healing some broken, twisted hearts...and that is a miraculous and beautiful thing.

There is much work ahead for this family. Little Man has an older sister that may need a place to stay. Their mother has asked us to take her until she is ready to parent them both. If this becomes a possibility, we have opened our hearts to do just that.

Please keep us in your prayers, and thank you again for your kindness, encouragement, friendship and love!

Please keep praying for our little man...

There has been a bit of drama today. I do not want to get into the specifics..but we just do not know what will happen tomorrow. The only thing we are sure of is that Jeff is to take our Little Man for a visit with his birth mom. We have no idea right now where he will go from there...if he will come back home or be placed with the grandmother. Please pray for peace, wisdom, assurance, and that all parties will do the best thing for our little man! Please pray that the bio-parents and DCFS will do RIGHT by our little man...and that we can be at peace with the decisions that will be made.

Our little man is leaving...

us on Friday! Unless a miracle occurs...he will go. He will go to a stressed-out, not so willing to take him grandmother who lives in a tiny, little trailer...filled with way too many pets...at least 3 other kids...and a hubby who...well...may be involved with children in ways that make your stomach churn and your heart split in two. But DCFS believes this is the BEST option for our little man. Instead of allowing him to stay in our care.

We live in a sick world.

Please pray!

Just some newer pics of the little man...he is not so little, actually. He has just been starting to creep around this week!

Cone Flowers

Our friendship garden continues to bloom...although many flowers are fading away. The girls and I are amazed at cone flowers...we love the way they feel...and how big they grow! These flowers were given to us from our neighbor's perennial garden!

I am not sure why I am showing you this picture...except that it cracked me up. This kid is forever trying out new things! Is this a common occurrence with scooter lovers? It was her way of getting both home after Mae abandoned hers at the neighbors!

Pretty as a Picture....

We love these pictures, and wanted to share them with all of you!

Life would be great if only...

Do you wish you were happy? Do you say to yourself..."If only" this were to happen...then I would be happy?" Where do you look to fill your heart with joy? Do you wish to be loved by someone? Do you long for more children? Is your body not as healthy as you wish? Are you certain that you would feel more cheerful if only you owned a bigger house or another car? Think your life would be more fulfilling if only you had more "free" time?


I have spent the last 10 years convinced the only way I will experience joy in this world is to fill our house with babies. I LOVE babies. I love their sweet little fingers, and their stubby little toes. I love all the soft cooing sounds they make and the giggles that jiggle from their chubby little cheeks. I love how each child has a "personality" that is uniquely his...and how you can just "tell" what he is going to be like as he grows older. I love snuggling up with each little one and listening to them breathe...that soulful, peaceful rhythm that lulls you to sleep. I love how they smack their lips and stare at their fingers. I love how they suck on my shoulder when I am carrying them around...and drool all over me until my shirt is soaked. I love taking care of babies, and usually feel as though all is right with the world whenever a baby is placed in our home. Never, ever, have I felt such contentment.

Ok...ok....so maybe that isn't quite the case. I will admit that taking care of babies isn't always so...peaceful...or fulfilling. Some babies fuss...A LOT! Some babies just cannot sleep...so I do not sleep. Some babies spit up horribly...scream all day....refuse to eat....some babies are just...SIGH...MISERABLE babies. When there is a challenging baby in our home, our whole life is, quite frankly, more challenging!

Baby "if only's" crop up pretty quickly!

"She would be the perfect baby if only she would sleep thru the night..."

"I wouldn't be so crabby if baby would let me put her down for 10 minutes.

"We could do so much more away from home if only baby would be willing to sit in his car seat longer."

"This placement would be so much easier if only we knew what the outcome would be!"

UGH! That last one is the hardest. Not knowing is the worst!

Why do I think that adding another baby would make our life more fulfilling? When have I REALLY experienced true joy and contentment? If I honestly think about this...those days of true contentment come whenever I let go...they happen whenever I stop holding onto whatever I think is going to make me happier. I think that happens because whatever I am holding onto... is a distraction from the one who can completely fulfill us...our HEAVENLY FATHER!

Where do we find contentment? What is your "If only?" What is it you are so sure will make your life better, and what would happen if you just decided to let it go? What are you fretting about these days?

We were discussing these verses last night!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,
And the peace of God, which surpasses all COMPREHENSION....shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Phil.4:6-7

I know those verses are quoted often. Here's a way to help pull them apart:

What does God command you to do?
What does God warn you NOT do do?
What does He promise HE will do?


Let's pull apart the verses from Phil. 4...

First we are warned to be anxious for nothing! NOT ONE THING! OK... how is that even possible? Can you imagine the amount of sleep we lose because of anxiety? How much energy and time we waste fretting over things we cannot change? How much of our life would change just by refusing to worry?

Secondly, we are commanded to come to him in prayer with thanksgiving! Are you thankful about those "if only's" that have not come thru for you? Are you thankful for those circumstances that are robbing you of your joy? If we actually thanked God for those circumstances, would we actually experience joy in the midst of them? What if I thanked God for infertility? Doesn't that sound shocking? Why would I do that? How would I do that?

I am thankful for infertility. Infertility gave me the children I have....through the blessing of foster care and adoption. I would not have my children, if I had not been infertile!

When we are thankful for those things that we are not happy about...it helps us see the TRUTH of how God is at work in our life.


Lastly...what does God promise? If we do not worry...and pray with thanksgiving...what does He promise He will do?


and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!


To have a peace that surpasses all comprehension...that sounds like experiencing true contentment...doesn't it? If you are at peace, you are not fretting. If you are at peace, you have the freedom and energy to experience joy! You are not distracted by what is missing...or what you wish were different! Instead of looking for ways to be happy...we should be letting go those things! We should take all of those "if only's" and give them to HIM....not begrudgingly...but with thanksgiving!


And His peace will guard your heart and mind! His peace will GUARD your heart and mind! It will keep your heart and mind SAFE. It will not let the enemy past the gate. HIS PEACE is securing your heart and mind. Your heart and mind will not be compromised by unhealthy, hurtful thoughts or ideas. Your heart and mind will rest in HIS PEACE.

We do not know what will happen to the Little Man. At some point, the Little Man will leave us. He is not going to be with us forever. Oh..if only he could stay! All would be right with the world. If only God would just let him stay here forever...our family would be perfect! The roller coaster ride of this placement has been a wild one. It keeps me up, night after night! But one night, God brought His truth to my heart...that truth that Jeff and I cling to when a child leaves our home...as the Little Man WILL do...someday...

Every child is HIS child. God knew that the Little Man would need a place to stay for a bit, and what a blessing to have him here with us for a while! Our job is to take care of him as long as he is in our home....and get him ready for whatever God has in store for him. Our job is NOT to fret over what the future holds for this sweet baby boy. It is NOT to fume over how the social workers manage the case. Our job is NOT to figure out how to keep him here forever! Our job is to love him well, while he is here, and get him ready for whatever God has planned for him. Our job is to uphold this little guy in prayer, and with thankful, prayerful hearts....let him go!

As I pondered these things the other night...and God reminded me of His promises...the knots in my stomach untangled. The heaviness in my chest floated away. And His calming reassurance filled my soul...that peace that surpasses all understanding...it was guarding my heart that night. It was keeping my mind focused on the truth. And finally, I was able to sleep.

As you read through those verses from Philippians, do you say to yourself..."If only I could really live that way?" Try this...just for today...and see if it changes your life. Do not allow the phrase "if only" to creep into your vocabulary. Ban it from your thoughts. Take that list of "if onlys" and place them into the Lord's hands. Embrace the life you have...RIGHT NOW.! Be thankful for all He has already done, and all He is going to do...

Allow HIM to guard your heart and mind... just for today.....and you will walk in that peace that surpasses all understanding. That is HIS promise to us all. If only we would believe it!

Do we really believe?

Have you ever written down the stuff you usually only say to yourself? You know...the stuff that runs through your mind as you go about your day? You know...the stuff you would NEVER say out loud? I did that today. It was shocking. I rant about my irritating life, family, home... in my mind....WAY TOO MUCH! I must not REALLY believe that I have an amazing life. When I was younger, I would have never imagined the life I have. A sweet hubby. Three beautiful daughters. A comfy home to keep us safe and warm. I share this "truth" often, but I do not I say it to myself...in my mind...nearly as much. Why? Why is my mind occupied with such trivial, negative, energy-wasting thoughts...instead of the TRUTH of my life?

Do we really believe what we say we believe? Do we really see and understand the truth of our own life?

These questions lead to me to dwell on this: Do we really understand the extent of the gospel? Can we possibly fathom what it was that Christ actually endured, and then accomplished on the cross? Do we really BELIEVE...do we really LIVE...the truth of the gospel? Pastor shared these verses last Sunday. Perhaps you might dwell on them today.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was CRUSHED for our iniquities, the chastening for our well-being FELL UPON HIM...and by His SCOURGING we are healed. Is.53:5

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way:
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all...TO FALL ON HIM. Is. 53:6

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, YET HE DID NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. Is 53:7a

CRUSHED. SCOURGED. OPPRESSED. AFFLICTED. and yet uttered NOT A WORD!

What is it about Irene Dunn?

I adore her! Do you know who she is? She was one of Cary Grant's leading ladies...I discovered her one day while watching "The Awful Truth." What is it about her? She is simply lovely...she seems to be one of these people who can laugh at themselves. She can be very pretty, feminine, and delicate one moment...and then a total clown the next.

She is the perfect lady to me, but hardly that at times....but even when she is misbehaving, her misbehavior is terribly "lady-like!"

That is the only way I know how to describe her. If you are looking for a good laugh, check out that Cary Grant flick, "The Awful Truth." Want a good romance? Try "Love Affair" (Ever see "An Affair to Remember?" Same story, but this one came first!) For those mothers out there who need a lift...watch "I Remember Momma," a sweet film about a Norwegian family. It has become one of my NEW favorite OLD movies!

Our first week of school

It is hard to believe that summer is over, and school has begun. We are very excited about our studies this year. The girls will be learning all about American History. We have been reading about Native Americans this week! The girls cannot decide if they would rather live in a tepee or become cliff dwellers! We remember visitng Mesa Verde and the amazing dwellings discovered there!

Mac's first reader is The Corn Grows Ripe! It is a story about a Mayan family, a 12 year old boy, and his journey into manhood! We are learning about making milpa (cornfields). Corn is an extremly important crop to the Mayan culture. We are also learning about how they used astology to keep a calendar.

Mae has been learning about the five senses. Oh, what fun to chat about goosebumps, eardrums, and those cones and rods that help us see. Her first reader was a little story about a boy named Silent E! And she is so excited to finally have spelling like big sister Mac!

One of the places we love to visit while we are in Door County is Plum Loco Farm. It is well maintained and a very relaxing place to spend the afternoon. The girls love to feed the ponies and mess around in the play area. We always meet interesting animals at Plum Loco, too! The girls befriended a turkey named Opal by feeding him popcorn. Opal likes to have his head rubbed, and will follow you around hoping for more attention! Have you ever touched a turkey's head? Be sure to check out Poppa's blog to see some of the fish we reeled in!

The Little Man occupied the hammock the most!

Everyone's favorite spot when we camp is the hammock! We managed to snap this pic just before we packed up to head home! Can you tell we have been living in the woods for a few days?

So we spent a few days in Door County, WI! What a glorious time we had...the weather was pristine, and the sunsets amazing...another perfect Labor Day weekend in Peninsula State Park!

Tea...anyone?

So the girls had a play date with our good friend, Jessa...and ended up having a tea party!
What a great way to spend the afternoon! Thank you, Jessa, for spending the afternoon with us!

My favorite flower...

I love this pic of Li-Li. The daisy is from our friendship garden. My dear ole' friend, Vera, gave them to us two years ago....and now our garden is brimming with them. Vera is one of my many "students" from the YMCA...she is 80 years old, and as sharp as a tack...both in mind and spirit! We adore her, and think of her everytime we stop to smell the...daisies!

Wheelchair Walks!

So with all this nonsense and bad foot stuff going on...things got pretty blue around here. Last night the girl's were playing out front, while I relaxed and watched.
Mae wanders over and says..."Momma, let's go for bike ride!"
"Mae...Momma cannot ride...remember...bad foot!"
"Well, lets go for a walk, Momma.."
"Mae..Momma has to stay off her foot."
"Well, I'll push you...we will use the wheelchair, Momma."
HEAVY, HEAVY SIGH (wheelchair is buried in the garage...hasn't been used in ages) Jeff stands to the side, shaking his head, knowing he will be rearranging the garage shortly.
"C'mon Momma...we can go in the wheelchair..remember Disneyworld..when we walked in the wheelchair and I rode in your lap?"
"Yes, Mae, that was fun."
"and I met Belle, and we saw that parade...and it was pretty chilly that day...remember?"
Mac chimes in..."Yes, I did that, too, when I was little. I remember watching the fireworks and eating raisins while sitting on your lap.."
"Yes, Mac, those fireworks were amazing!"
Mae, "Yes, and we walked around the zoo while I sat on your lap,"
Tears in my eyes..."Yes, wasn't that a nice day, saying hello to the giraffes?"
Mac.."We went to the zoo, too, remember...with Jessa, down in the city...so cool Momma. I sat with you, and the leaves were changing.."
"Yes, you were so little back then,"
"and we went to the museum, and saw the Egyptian village,"
Mae.."Oh those people we so creepy...I was scared, and held onto you, Momma..."
"Yes, Mae, you did not like the mummies all that much,"
"Yes, Momma, I love sitting on your lap and going for a ride. I'll go get the chair, and we will go for a walk."
Mae starts digging out the wheelchair. Jeff gives in, and cleans the chair off..it is covered in dust.
"Here, Momma, we will clean it up and go for our walk, OK? Kenzie can push Li-Li and Jr., and I can sit with you while Poppa pushes, and we can have our talk, OK?"
"Our talk?"
"Yes Momma, I need to talk to you. We need to have a talk. I like to talk to you while we walk. It has been too long since we have walked and talked."
I catch my breath. This is so true. We had been going for walks everyday, before the foot issues occurred. That was over 6 weeks ago. We haven't managed much walking since then.
They clean up the chair, and I lower myself in. It has been a while, and I do not normally troll the neighborhood in my chair. I feel a bit embarrassed.
Jeff is tired. But he gets everyone situated, and Mac starts pushing the stroller down the walk.
Mae climbs in my lap."I love sitting with you in the wheelchair. Now we can talk, Momma."
Off we go. The sky is that pinking blue-violet color it turns in the evening as the sun starts drooping in the sky. The cicadas are humming, otherwise things are quiet. We nod and wave at the neighbors. We gaze at the colors of the flowers and leaves. We marvel at how beautiful the evening sky is.
Mae starts chatting with me about school. She is going to co-op for the first time. As she chats, it becomes obvious she is very nervous about going. Fears abound, not knowing any friends, teachers, where she sits, how she finds the bathroom, where she eats lunch, not having Mac in her class...all these things come pouring out of her heart...while rubbing my arm and snuggling in close...as we roll about the neighborhood... in my chair.
I stroke her hair, and listen quietly as she rambles away. I reassure her as best I can, and then ask if she would like me to stay with her for a bit the first day...just until she feels better about things. Yes, she admits, that would help her feel better.
She brightens up, and start reminiscing again about all the different times we have walked around in the wheelchair.
"Momma, I miss walking with you. Can we do this again?"
Oh yes, Mae. Let's go for a walk again, very, very soon.

Our Friendship Garden

We started a little perennial garden out by our lamppost...with flowers given to us by friends and family. This is an Easter lily we were given 3 years ago. It has bloomed beautifully for the last 2 summers!

Our Silly Bugaboo...

For some reason Mac has always been fascinated with bugs, and earlier this week she came upon a cicada. They are out in droves now...singing that very loud, late summer song we are all so used to hearing.

More Northwoods adventures with the Little Man and Li-Li!

The little man had a great time on the boat. He didn't seem to mind his lifejacket too much! We are so glad to have him with us for a while.

So Li-Li was able to reel one in! For a kid who has an aversion to creepy-crawly things...we were in awe of her enthusiam over flippy-floppy fish. She had no qualms grabbing the little ones and tossing them back in!

Mae meets Fredricka

One day there were frogs hopping and swimming all along the shore-line! Everyday the kids found new little buddies to befriend.

Mac's training for Tommy Bartlette!

Mac's gymnastic training encourages the dare-devil inside of her this summer...

as she takes it to the tube!

The boys!

Ben and Sam joined us at the cabin, and we convinced them to try out the tube! Sam was such a good sport...and Ben, who did not want to try it at first...declared that the tube was..."AWESOME!"

Well done, boys! We really enjoyed our time with them last week!

Kat's Krew at the cabin

This is the cabin we stayed in last week. The girls loved climbing up into the loft with Grammy. Later in the week, my BIL and nephews joined us...and then took over the loft!

This area is very quiet and peaceful. You heard the loons calling quite a bit. Jeff and I would wander out at night and were amazed at how bright the stars were!

So we spent a week up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin,

hanging out in a beautiful cabin on Plum Lake!

Grammy rents this place every year, and the girls love it up there!

This is Grammy Pat and the girls cruising the lake!

We spent most of our time boating on the lake or hanging around the dock. The lake was clean, with a sandy bottom, full of crayfish, frogs and minnows. The kids spent a ton of time trying to catch them all with their nets!

Check out Queen B's Blog...what a great post!

This post has me thinking...please read this Blog! This defines the struggle I have encountered these last couple of years....feeling inadequate as wife, mother, daughter, and a friend. What do you consider to be a successful life? Here is a wonderful post about just that! Thank you...friend!
THE LAND OF CURLY HAIR: SUCCESS - MY ANSWERS

It has been awhile.

I'd like to make this thing a little more informative....so that I could actually share it with friends and family some day.


We have a new little man that is visitng with us for a bit. We have really enjoyed fostering again. Thanking our Lord that Jeff is willing to reach out to these sweet little people that need some care and love. He is adorable, and brings us so much joy!

The power of prayer!

My heart is lighter. I do not feel so alone. I am reminded that He does care for us, every little detail in our lives...things that seem so insignificant...He has helped me with these last few weeks....find a way out of the darkness in my heart!

Praising my dear heavenly Father, for helping me along these last few weeks. Helping me thru a very dreary winter..and although the sky is full of grey and clouds and wet...I am hopeful, yes so very hopeful for the coming sun and spring! Praising Him for sending prayer warriors my way, women full of wisdom, patience, and kindness, that have reached out....thank you, Father, for looking after me this way!

Wow!

It's been a whole month since I have bothered with this thing. But tonight I felt compelled to share verses that have been workin on my heart and soul... so here it goes.
From Deut. 30:19b-20a
...so choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
(How? How do we choose life?) by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him... Deut. 30:19b-20a

I want to choose life! May my children see me choosing life! May my sweet hubby see me choose life! May all those around see me choose life... embrace the amazing life my Lord has given me! Even when that life seems gray and drab. Even when that life is filled to the rim with pain and difficulties!
May God give me the courage to CHOSE LIFE instead of choosing to give up!
I can be such a chicken about this. Choosing life will not be easy. It means letting go of the old ways. It means stepping way out of my comfort zones! Please dear Lord, give me the energy and guts to do this....everyday!

Hmmm....

Today my heart feels full of so many things. I am so glad to be here, but it will be a struggle to get through the day. It is worth the struggle...it is worth it...but oh it is such a struggle! God, please help me honor you for the rest of today, help me honor you as I struggle. Give me the strength to love those around me, even thru the struggle. I know you promise to lift me up like an Eagle...

They that wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength...they shall mount up with wings like Eagles...

They shall run and not tire...they shall walk and not become weary, for the Lord is their strength...

They will soar, though they grow weary and tire and young ones stumble on...

God help me hang onto your truth, your promises, your love.

My first one

I am not sure what this will be like. I am not sure why I am doing this. So I will leave it at that for today!