A Quick Lesson With Ants

I tell you, there's ALWAYS an opportunity to learn. We are having trouble with ants in the house. But, I choose to use this as an opportunity to cope with what we have. (more)

Been Gone A While

"The Scripture says, “The righteous man falls down seven times” (Proverbs 24:16). Sometimes I think that may be a day or even an hour. He falls down seven times, and what does he do? He gets up again each time.
You say, “I’ve blown it. I just haven’t had that servant’s heart. I haven’t been that kind of devoted wife. I haven’t been committed to my home and family as I ought to have been and the qualities we’re going to see in this woman.”
Well, get up. Repent. Get new grace and go on. Let God continue to take you in that process of molding and making you like His Son, Jesus." (quote from Nancy Lee DeMoss's True Woman Study)

It's been a hard week so far. I've been very tired, irritable, and so in the flesh! I confess, I haven't been displaying the love of God in most cases. Which I'm NOT proud of. I confess, it's been hard to "count it all joy" and to do all things "without mumbling and complaining". It's so hard for me when I'm pregnant.

I don't like feeling tired, back pains, and just not being able to do things the way I usual do when I'm not pregnant. My hat goes off to my sisters who have the calling to keep doing this until menopause. I confess, I don't have that calling. I know many women who hold to the quiverfull philosophy would probably frown on me for saying that. I pray not. I hope we all can still show love for one another even if we don't share the same convictions (Romans 14).

I felt like I've been doing so much repenting and apologizing that it's been CRAZY!! I was lead to read Proverb 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." There was a cross reference to Proverb 31:10-31. You know...The Proverb 31 Woman!! I confess, I was sorta "dreading" going there because I KNEW that I was NOT displaying her likeness AT ALL! Ha! Ha! Ha!

As I was reading, I was already feeling convicted and felt like I've FAILED my family. In reading it, I was reminded of the True Woman Study that Nancy Lee DeMoss did and how I didn't finish (or should I say START). Well, today was truly the day to read because that quote up top was SOO for me. God is good.

Thank You Lord for reminding me to keep coming to You for more grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

Super Heros!!

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

I thought that they were suppose to help you in your time of need. It seems like my little hero is doing the opposite. But, I know that one day it'll change! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Right now, my little hero has been leaping off of furniture, climbing in fridges and tables, along with tampering on computers and other gadgets against his parents' commands. On top of that, he has now increased in his appetite!

Wow! I think I need to get my a cape for being Supermom! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Dear Lord, thank You for how well, M.J. is growing in our home. He is truly an adventure to behold. Your timing is ALWAYS perfect. In Jesus name, Amen.

And The True Heart Award Goes To.....

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thes. 5:11

Today has been a pressing day. It was one of those days where I've been striving to "keep my mind on things above", to "count it all joy", MOST OF ALL "walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh". I'm so thankful for the Lord's grace and the encouragement of the saints.

As I was in the midst of typing something for my husband, a thought came for me to check my email. When I checked it, I was GREATLY surprised and encouraged to have received a reward for my blog by another blogger friend name Judy! Ha! Ha! Ha! I've always wondered how that went. It was a needed encouragement. Especially when you're wondering and feeling, "Lord, will I EVER get it right?" I'm so glad that even when I'm not at my best, the Lord loves me still and chooses to send encouragement to remind and renew me to keep pressing on for His glory.

So, since I was encouraged by this wonderful reward, I hope to encourage some of my other sisters too. I give this reward to:

1. Kimberly Hutchinson The Hutchinson House I love the way she shows us what's going on in their house! Her kids are adorable. You'll fall in love with them too.

2. Erica Cooper The Super Coopers This is a super family. The mom and dad are some cool folks too! Check them out!

3. Nicole Baker has two blogs. One is her family blog where she shows us all of the funny and cool things that her family is up to. If you need advise on how to "beat the price" she's TRULY the woman to get to know. Check out her other blog Counting Sprinkles. I'm still trying to learn some of her skills. I just need to enroll in her school! Ha! Ha! Ha!

4. Melissa Parnell The Parnell's. I think she's so adorable! Her posts are funny and hip! Her family is precious. You can see how much she loves her family.

5. Shaunta Chambers has a wonderful blog that exhorts the name of Christ. You can tell how much she adores the Lord and the role that He was given her as a wife and mother. Step Into My Chambers is a great blog to be encouraged through her mothering.

6. Nicole King is a sister that I pray to meet in person one day because she's truly the friend that I feel like I can relate too. It seems like our lives are similar. Her blog shows what God is doing in and through the ministry that God has placed her family in. Her blog Rebuilding The City encourages you if you're a woman who desires to serve the Lord.

7. Kela Pursuing What Is Excellent is another sister that I pray to meet in person. She's become my buddy. She's the one who I email and chat with on a daily basis. It's good that we chat online and not on the telephone because our hubbies would not like the phone bill! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Dear Lord thank You for each one of these sisters and their love and devotion to You and their families. Please continue to strengthen and encourage each of them in the faith. In Jesus name, Amen.

Praise & Thanksgiving

"He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

This morning as I was preparing to get out of bed to care for the children, the Lord gave me a heart of thanksgiving. Instead of mumbling and grumbling like I sometimes do in the morning as I think of all that I have to do with preparing the kids for the day, I was able to open up my mouth and thank the Lord for giving me another day to see and care for my children. I tell you, when the Lord gave me that kind of attitude, it TRULY helped me to have a different outlook in getting them ready!

Giving thanks and praise is something that I enjoy doing in my Christian walk. I love to worship the Lord with my mouth. My MIL said something that I'll never forget. It was during the time when Zenail was a baby. My sweet MIL always has gospel music playing in her home. One day, she had a particular song on and Zenail just instantly started rocking to the song. It was adorable of course, then my MIL said, "See it's clear that we were made to worship the Lord because you never have to teach a baby how to dance or move whenever they hear music!" I had NEVER looked at it that way before and I tell you, I now have a different outlook on seeing a baby rock to music. Now, it's a shame that most little ones are growing up without listening to anything that glorifies the Lord, but the fact still remains the same, that we were made to worship the true and living God. So, whenever I see one of our children first rock (or dance), my heart instantly continues to pray for his/her salvation to one day praise the Lord as his/her savior.

Our daughter MaKayla is our little songbird in the house. She can make up a song on just about anything. I love to hear her sing. That's why it breaks my heart to see her clam up and cry whenever she was in children's choir and even during VBS. I instantly began to worry and wonder "Why is she that way?" or "What have we done wrong?" etc. God is so good to sent comfort whenever we need it because JUST as I was beginning to go down the "pity party path", the Lord reminded me of something which encouraged me to pray more for her salvation. He reminded me of what I was like. I too was a "closet singer". I would sing loud and proud in my bedroom but when it came to singing in front of others, I clammed up or I was afraid and discouraged by anyone who laughed at my singing so I never sang in front of people. So, in the closet I remained. Only some family members knew about my singing voice.

But it all changed when I became a believer. I just loved singing praises to the Lord because I adore singing to Him and Him alone. Then one day, I joined the choir and then a praise team and I LOVED doing it. It was a joy to encourage the saints to worship the Lord. When the Lord reminded me of how my singing changed once I became dedicated to following Him, I was encouraged that prayerfully that will be our MaKayla one day. I pray that she too will one day encouraged and be encouraged to sing praises unto the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me a wonderful day of thanksgiving and praise. May Your praise shall continually be in my mouth. In Jesus name, Amen.

Waiting For A Time To Rest

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7

I often hear of dear sweet women often encourage me to find time to rest and take care of myself and for the most part, I do what I can. But, unfortunately I'm not able to just get away from the house to regroup and revive myself. It used to bother me. Especially when I notice that other women were able to do it.

But, over time, the Lord has been showing me other ways that I can strive to make due with my situation. I've come to be a big fan of aroma therapy. Of course it's not the product that I rely on, but it's those beautiful scents, beauty, and aromas that the Lord has blessed man to create that I appreciate because they allow my mind to relax and regroup. They're like my homemade personal retreats!

But, there does come a time when a sister REALLY does need to get away from it all. After being out with the kids all this past week at VBS and without a chance to nap, has been really hard. The Lord knows how to care for you. He had my husband to surprise me with a one day get away!! It was SOOO needed, ladies. I was so glad to NOT have to wake up and attend to no kids this morning!! I was able to lay in the hotel bed and SLEEP!!! It was truly needed rest. The entire time I was in the bed, I couldn't stop thanking and praising the Lord for giving me the sweet rest! If I had to encourage any other woman who's waiting on something she desires, that verse up top is one I'd recommend for her to meditate on.

Thank You Lord for showing me the fruit of what can happen when one waits on You. Thank You for giving me rest. May the kids and I have a wonderful restful week ahead. In Jesus name, Amen.

It's Over!!!

It was a great VBS! This was our first time attending it and I'm sure that the kids will be excited for it next year, Lord willing.

They learned a lot and so have I. I'm thankful for all of the ladies that I've been able to meet and chat with. My responsibility was small, but a needed one for someone in my condition (pregnant).

Thank You Father for allowing us to have a great VBS this week. In Jesus name, Amen.