Thankful Tuesday

So it's been about 3 years since I've done one of these posts. Far too long, but I was in a different season of life. For those of you who are new, I just take Tuesdays to reflect on things I'm thankful for. After the struggle that Monday can sometimes bring, I think that Tuesday is a good day to reflect on what we are or can be grateful for. It's still the beginning of the week and can help set the rest of our week up with praise and thanksgiving. (Plus, I like the play on words....so there's that)

On this Tuesday morning so early that it's still dark and quiet, here are just a few of the things I am thankful for:

-Hot coffee!
-Sleepless nights that teach us that we are dependent on God
-Wax Burners casting a soft glowing light through this quiet darkness
-Stillness
-Hubby's robe (I've pretty much hijacked it in the last year. It's so big and fluffy!)
-Providing Care
-Conflict (Yes, I am thankful for conflict.....maybe there will be a post on that later)
-God's sovereignty
-Learning that comes through life's simple and every day moments
-Sanctification that comes through life's simple and every day moments
-Repentance that comes through life's simple and every day moments
-My little mission's field (And being thankful that this is my mission's field right now...and being content in that especially as our church prepares to send a team over seas this summer.)
-John's sensitive spirit
-Levi's strive to do his best
-Jahs's passion for everything
-Titus's empathetic heart
-Adoniis's content attitude
-Our home that feels much like a home on the inside to me

Some of you may be going through a struggle right now. It may be a serious struggle or some heartbreak. It could be something you view as silly but for you it is a struggle (and no struggle is too small or silly for God!). God knows your struggle and He cares and is there for you. Even in our struggle we can still sing praises to God of thanksgiving; even if it is through tears. Our God is good and loving. So today if you find yourself in a hard spot, sit down and think of the blessings God has given you. There are some, even if you have to go hunting for them. Strive for thanksgiving this day.

Nose Ring Girl and Angry Cashier

I've often worried that the repetitious prayers I pray (not as consistently as I should) before naps and bedtime are just that, too repetitious. It is often the same things over and over but it is this way because those are things that are really on my heart. Three of the biggest things I pray with them are:

1)They would love God with their whole heart (because I believe if they do, all else will follow)
2)That God would help them obey and convict them when they are tempted or chose to disobey and sin.
3) That we would be a good example and tell our friends about Jesus.

During nap time, Levi and I went shopping. At one store, the cashier had a lip ring which Levi must have never seen or noticed before (he's 6 by the way). He blantantly and loudly asked me "Mom, what on her lip?!" Ha, kids are pretty blunt and honest. So instead of making it more awkward for her and myself, I just simply told him that it was called a lip ring and some ladies get them just like I have earrings....but for your lip. He then asked her, "Do you go home when it gets dark?" She told him that she did. He said "oh, we don't. We go to church at night." (Me trying partly to explain but also so she didn't feel too awkward about the situation, clarified that yes one day a week, we go to night church when it's dark) She told him that it sounds like he goes to church a lot and that was a very good thing.

When we got back into the car I brought it up and asked him about telling her about us going to church. I asked him if he remembers about how we pray for God to give us wisdom and strength to tell our friends about Jesus and told him that him telling her that we go to church was a really simple way to do so. It wasn't long. It wasn't the gospel. But it was something pressing on his heart and he wanted to share that. It's in those seemingly unimportant conversations that seeds are planted in simple ways.

Later, I went out by myself and encountered some of the worst service at a store I think I've ever received. It was so bad, I cried when I got to my car. The cashier was just plain mean and spiteful. I finished my shopping and got in line. Not paying attention I got in a line that wasn't open. She retorted that I was in the wrong line, it was clearly the line with the only light on that was open. Thinking she was joking, I laughed and said oh yeah I see that now. Thanks! Moving over to her line, she made another remark to me then when I went to go pay, she was angry at the way I was paying (using larger bills to break them when she saw I had the exact amount in my wallet). She very loudly without technically yelling, said "Oh so you're just going to take some of my bills then huh?! Sure Whatever" (There were other things done as well but there is no reason to retell everything)

I made sure to look at the receipt to look at the checkout number and time and looked at her name tag. My intentions were to call a manager and file a complaint. As I was about to walk about the door, starting to fume, I was convicted. Levi was able to witness in a small way to the cashier, how much more should I be a good example to this person who could be having just a rotten day. I don't know what had just happened to her, but most people don't just spout out hate to others for no reason. So I stopped myself, took a deep breathe, and said "Jen, I pray your evening gets better for you." It wasn't much and now I can think of a much more encouraging phrase to use, but I was still angry and even that was hard to get out, but I had to muscle past my pride and do so. I still went out to the car and cried and I still wanted to call a manager and complain because that is no way to treat a customer, but then I was convicted again. God sees all. And how deceitful to tell her I hope her evening gets better, then immediately call and complain about her. So I prayed for her and let it be. I don't know her story or what could have happened right before that moment.

My 6-year-old was an encouragement to me and an example. And I am thankful. :)

Also, I have written this whole blog post with a sock on my hand.......Just because I know that sounds crazy (and it was really challenging to type!) I am having issues with my skin cracking and splitting open in the worse spots (my entire ring finger and now onto the palm of my hand making it very painful to do things like wash dishes, bend my finger, etc). So, I have a treatment on it, hence the sock to prevent it from getting it everywhere.

Crying Babies and Awesome Church

So, I never want to come across as fake. I want to be honest and talk about the wonderful....and the not so wonderful. I want people to know I am real. That my family and I do have struggles. Not every day is smiles, snuggles, and just warm happy feelings; some days are just plain rough! Sometimes it helps to know others have those rough days too and that you are not alone. Maybe that is one of the reasons God blesses us with “rough” days is so that we can in turn be a blessing to someone else in their rough days and be not just sympathetic, but empathetic. Either way, today was a rough day. Let me tell you a bit about my day.

The Death of an Amazing Woman and it's Impact

I am going to be upfront with you. Death scares me; so does heaven.

Edification is a Great Opportunity to Praise God

Today I was extremely happy and proud of Levi. He can be such a helper sometimes and I feel bad because I don't know if I express to him how proud I am of him or when I do, if he understands it. It made me almost feel bad and sad because I want him to know how happy I am of him. Then, I got to thinking, instead of me being so concerned about him understanding how proud I am, I should be concerned about showing him that I am thankful to God for giving him the desires, the strength, and the heart to be such a helper. I need to give GOD the glory; even when it comes to my two-year-old. He can start to understand even early on.

What a great opportunity to start introducing my son to God and His glory and show him how we need to strive to glorify God each day and grow to be more and more Christlike. And when we do “good” things, it should make us happy, not because it makes God happy, but because GOD is sanctifying us and helping us to become more like Christ. When the Holy Spirit softens our hearts and gives us the desire to willingly and joyfully help like my little man does so often, we need to be so thankful and rejoice.

I am so thankful that God has once again taught me a lesson through my son. One of the things I know I need to work on is always pointing Levi (and Jahs) to Christ. When I discipline, I need to show him that he is in need of a savior. When I praise him, I need to show him that Christ was the only perfect Man but God gives us the grace to grow each day more like him and we should rejoice. When we are out for a walk, I should show him the wonderful things God created for us to enjoy. At meal times or whenever we pray, I need to pray a heartfelt prayer to God not just the memorized “habit” prayer.

Boy, having kids sure places a lot of responsibility, but I am ever so thankful for my little mission's field God has blessed me with. :) As my good friend and mentor Miss. Diana Parker always used to say, “God rocks!”

Have a wonderful day my friends!

Overwhelmed by Motherhood

Hello,
My name is Brittany and I am overwhelmed by motherhood.Today hasn't been the easiest. Today I am sick of cloth diapers, especially when one child had 4 diarrhea diapers today. Yuck! Tired of washing the cloth diapers in the tiny washing machine and wringing them out by hand. Tired of picking up all day constantly. Tired of the dishes. Tired of the nightly frustration of getting Jahs to sleep (a recent frustration). Tired of menu planning. Tired of making all of our foods from scratch and not using any "boxed or bagged" products.


What a poor and selfish attitude I am having tonight. Instead, I get to say I am thankful we were blessed with cloth diapers. It's a way to help care for God's earth and save money that my husband works so hard for. I am blessed to wash those nasty diapers. I am blessed we have a tiny washing machine where it is free to wash those diapers. I am blessed to have little messes all around. Blessed to have littles ones to create that mess and blessed that I have an awesome husband and those socks on the floor are just a reminder of that fact when he's at work. ;P I am blessed to be able to wash dishes and have a reason to wash them. I am blessed that Jahs feels perfectly content in my arms and quiets down as soon as I pick him up. I am blessed that my husband wants me to create a menu and that he wants us to eat healthy. Normally, it is the wife that wants the family to eat healthy and the husband doesn't want to. I am blessed to even be able to make all of our meals from scratch.

Not only am I blessed for those reasons. I am blessed because this is the greatest mission's field of all. Not only am I able to show my children the love of God, but I can make my home a haven. I have an opportunity to do all things to the glory of God...yes, even doing the dishes. I get to love on my babies. Now my friends, I hope this is encouraging. I have rough days just like you. It's not always smiles and love all day. Not always a perfect looking tidy house. Around my house, I placed index cards with verses on them so I see them when I am doing my mundane jobs. The one above my kitchen sink has really helped me. I have memorized part of it. Here it is my friends. I hope it helps you to find joy in the mundane as well. Let us rejoice!

Psalm 51:8-12

8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Mundane Monday

Today is yet another Monday...what are some of the things that you are thankful for today? One way to combat feelings of depression or “mundaness” is to remind yourself all the reason you have to be grateful. Here are some of mine:

1) Our new amazing little boy Jahs
2) A wonderful husband who is so supportive and humble
3) An amazing little boy who is so caring to his little brother
4) Cuddle time with Jahs
5) Fast recovery
6) Devotions
7) Early bedtimes
8) Naps
(noticing a theme? Lol)
9) Candles
10) Fall!
11) Wonderful family who is so willing to do anything to help
12) Meals brought by family
13) God’s provision
14) God’s grace and love

Ever Afraid to Pray? I am...Here's why

I want to be honest about something and maybe this confession will help others as well. Sometimes I am afraid to pray. I know this sounds silly to most of you, so let me explain.

Using God's Word Selfishly...

I wanted to share something that I wrote in my journal recently. It is something that has been on my heart. I don’t know if I have ever wrote something that I have written in my journal, but I thought this may help others and maybe some of you can help me out and give me some tips, advice, or thoughts.

So here is what I wrote:

Awesomeness and Parks Versus Awesomeness and Messy Living Rooms

There is a song I hear on the radio down here and I think the song is just called “Awesome.” I am not sure of the artist, but I will see if I can find it and post a link. It is more of a charismatic song, but the theme of the song is that our God is awesome. It repeats that over again. I love it. Our God is awesome. He is glorious. This song is stuck in my head/heart today.

God's Sovereignty and Mundane Days

The sovereignty of my God is an awesome thing. He is wholly in control.

Today was an emotionally draining day with Levi. He wasn’t bad necessarily, he was being a kid. I was tired and trying to accomplish a lot. I seemed to be telling him to leave stuff alone, put something back, be gentle to the cat, those aren’t yours to play with, or Levi, please come here all afternoon long. All the negative was discouraging me. Trying to come up with more positive, less draining ways to keep him out of stuff, I tried to have him play with certain things etc. I felt bad for him, but I was also getting frustrated and even more tired.
 I accomplished a lot of things. Things in the house got organized, his bedroom got cleaned, curtains were hung, our bedroom was completely rearranged, laundry was done, lunch and dinner were made, but one thing was not accomplished. I wanted to take Levi to the park. I wanted to walk down there for the exercise and then let him play outside in the fresh air together with me. Guess what got shoved aside on my to do list.
Yes, I am glad that I accomplished what I did and I am grateful that I was able to because honestly today is what I would consider a “bad pregnancy day” because of the cramping, aches, pains, and tiredness. But, what did I do to spend quality time with Levi? We did play together and we sang songs and such, but still the fact that the park got shoved aside bothered me. I read this article this evening and it really struck home. I had a frustrating day today and this evening isn’t going so hot either. I’m tired and emotional, but my God is still sovereign. He’s sovereign over the missed park, he’s sovereign over Levi exploring EVERYTHING today, He’s sovereign over the icky evening. He’s also sovereign over the good things. Levi informing me he had to go potty, a nice arranged bedroom that is decluttered. Clothes that are washed and put away. God is sovereign. This is a truth I need to embed deep in my heart. When I feel my heart and soul getting frustrated and worried or stressed, I need to remember God is sovereign and realize every situation is designed for me personally. God knew it would happen and is using it to grow me more Christ-like.
So, whether it is a tantrum or being bummed about missing the park, realize that God is sovereign and we can learn something from each situation. I need to manage my time better, lean on God, and thank Him for my amazing little man who sometimes wears me out physically even though he is shorter than my knees! :)

*By the way, this is a day later and we did make it to the park today. :)

Mundane Monday

Why do you think Monday's can be so tough? I am not sure. But, I believe it has something to do with the fact that we have idols. Shocked at that answer? Let me explain and see if I can help you understand where I am coming from. We all would admit we have idols in our life. Or maybe we wouldn't, but we know that we do. I heard a quote the other day that stated "What we idolize, we demonize."

A sore day

Today is a good day, but it is a sore day. Everything aches on my right now. My lower back is killing me, my hips won't stop burning and hurting, and my upper back is sore from working out yesterday. I got a lot of stuff done this morning before my afternoon got really rough. I want to lay in bed with a heating pad all day (I am tied to a heating pad right now lol), but I have work this afternoon. I am so thankful that I didn't have to work this morning though. That has been a huge blessing because I was able to get a bunch of stuff done before I am unable to.
I am thankful for so many things today. One, the fact that it decided to rain so since I can't actually go out and enjoy the weather we were supposed to have, I am able to sit snuggled and enjoy the rain. Comforting soup and potatoes for lunch are another blessing. Great lunch for this weather. The fact that my foam roller helps with the pain. It hasn't been taking it away, but it sure does take the edge off. So does Tiger Balm. That stuff is amazing.

Enjoying

I wanted to write today, but I wasn't sure what to write about. So I thought I'd write about my day. I a sitting with candles burning and our incense burner going. I am sipping on strawberry milk and I have George Winston  playing. If you haven't heard him, check him out. GORGEOUS piano player.

My poor little guy Levi has had a fever the past few days. Yesterday he seemed great, but today he was super whiny and cried about everything. To the point where I moved something of mine and he burst into tears. After many "baby" timeouts (we place him in his bedroom in the crib and then go get him when his fit is over with lots of smiles and hugs), I decided to take his temperature. John thought it was because I coddled him while he was really sick, but it didn't seem like one day of cuddling would do that. And I was right, he has a fever. Either has a fever again, or it never went away. Either way, he is sick. It's a small fever, but has caused him to take two very LONG naps today...and that isn't normal anymore. One is the norm and one two hour is basically it. Today it's been 2 naps that are around 3 hours each.

I am enjoying the down time. I have tidied the whole living room. It was looking really just messy. Stuff everywhere and things just not put in their places. And I think it looks great....now the kitchen, bathroom, both bedrooms....that is another story. :P

John has had to work all day and I am hoping that when he comes home to have his dinner ready along with some "detox" activities of his choice. Some brain dead stuff for him to do to unwind. My ideas were his video game, a game like Yahtzee or Liars' Dice, or maybe a movie....?

I have been tired all day and I really should be taking a nap while Levi is because it isn't fair to John, but I always feel guilty when I nap. lol But I'm no fun if I don't and he doesn't like when I go to bed too early because he wants to spend as much time with me as he can. So sweet!

How is your day going? What are some things you are doing on this enjoyable Saturday? 

A Clarification

I wanted to write a clarification for my post "Emotional Stability" from the other day. I wanted to make sure that everyone knew I wasn't saying that because we aren't strong and that we should lean on Christ give us an excuse to be emotional and sinful in our attitudes. When we are overwhelmed we are telling God He isn't running our lives right basically. Though if we are overwhelmed yet trusting and crying out to Him asking Him for help, that is fine. Many of the people in the Bible did that. The Christian life isn't always roses and sunshine, it really just stinks sometimes, but it stinks with peace. lol Knowing that we have a sovereign God is an amazing feeling.

Emotionally Unstable

One of my hopes for my blog is that I can show everyone else that me, my marriage, and my family are not perfect. We are happy, we are grateful, we are very blessed, but we are sinners. Some of you who know me, already know I am not a strong person emotionally. I tend to be emotional. I let things offend me that shouldn't. I get frustrated about simple things. I get overwhelmed very easy, etc. Well, yesterday was no exception. John and I had an argument and made up. It was a good talk that brought up things that needed to be discussed and solved. We need to strive to make up quicker though and he pointed out that we only have each other for a little while and he doesn't want to get to heaven and have God say to Him, "I gave you this marriage and what did you do with it? You wasted 25% of it fighting, the other 50% you wasted not talking to each other because of the fights and then the last 25% you wasted just doing your own thing." What he said convicted me. I don't want that. I want our marriage and our lives to glorify and honor God. To bring Him glory and to be a witness to others. Anywho, so I was already an emotional wreck even though things were back to normal between us.

We had to go up north for my dad to fix John's car for us (by the way, they are still working on it. Thanks dad and John for being so awesome and for trying to hard to work on it! You guys rock!! and I know you will get it.). I started thinking of all the things I had to get done in a short amount of time and the house was a mess...as usual. I HATE leaving the house like that and then coming home to a messy house. But it was inevitable that I would have to leave it. And as we were packing, things kept getting messier. I lost it. Well lost it in my way which is going into a room by myself and crying. As I was crying in the bathroom I wished I wasn't so emotion. I wished I could be a wife and mother that just took things in stride and was just able to handle it all. And when things didn't go just right, that I was able to say oh well, smile and be just wonderful for John. But I'm not and I probably never will be just like that until heaven, though I am striving to get better. Then it hit me, my emotional unstableness is a blessing. It shows me just how humble I am, how I CAN'T do anything without God. as 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 states. We are made weak that HE may be strong. So, I am thankful that I fail only because it shows me how truly awesome my God is. He is truly great and He is my strength. How amazing. At that moment I had a few more tears but I felt as though He were holding me. But I was even more blessed. I came out and looked like I had clearly been crying. John asked what was the matter and after a few times of asking I told him I was overwhelmed and stressed and wanted to go but I didn't want to go either. lol He sat me down with a t-chart and put all the pros and cons of staying versus going. Then he helped me see that everything I had to get done, I could get done in like 30 minutes tops when I got back. He took the time to stop packing and stop rushing out to try to leave to sit me down and help me out. It was a huge blessing. I am sure it is very frustrating for him sometimes, but he is so amazing for me. After this, he then gave me a big hug and a high five which then produced more tears as he jammed my finger really badly, but that is another story. lol

I am very blessed. Not only did God remind me that I am not emotionally strong, and that is okay. He is. He's got it covered. :) And then He blessed me with an amazing husband that helps me out.

Find it Joyous

I am melancholy. Most of you who know me know this. I tend to be a perfectionist. But on the same token, I am also phlegmatic; not a ton, but enough where I get lazy and just do NOT want to clean. I get overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I get frustrated and grouchy. Then I start the blame game in my head (sometimes it slips out of my mouth as well!). "Why can't he just pick up his clothes instead of leaving them on the floor?!" (while my clothes sit on the bathroom floor....) "If He would just...." "I could keep this house clean if He would just!" And on it goes. Then not only am I frustrated about the mess, I get bitter and resentful in my heart which yep you guessed it, seeps out in my actions.
Before I begin to talk about how I can change my actions, I need to realize the root of this issue....pride. It's as simple as that....though not as simple as one might think. By being prideful I am being selfish, I am spitting in the face of God and telling Him that the way He ordained my life and my days is stupid and wrong and I could do a way better job. Hmph! Sounds goofy doesn't it? It's like I am pitching a fit at the throne of God telling Him that He is mean and doesn't know what He is doing. If anyone had the right to do that, it would have surely been Job. He had everything stripped from him; he wasn't just dealing with socks on the floor or a broken mop. His family died, all but his nagging wife. All of his wealth was stripped away. His health was so bad his friends and wife told him to just curse God and die. When he did start to doubt, God gave Him quite the talking to. What did He tell Job? He didn't say you are right you deserve better, you have been so faithful. You are just awesome Job, you rock buddy and deserve better. Poor thing, look at the way I have been treating you. No, this is not what the mighty God of the universes who is sovereign over all says to Job. Let's take a look:

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea,

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain

“Has the rain a father,

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

“Can you hunt the prey for the lion,

But wait, God's not finished yet. He continues: 

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?

“Who has let the wild donkey go free?

“Is the wild ox willing to serve you?

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,

“Do you give the horse his might?

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars

40 And the Lord said to Job:

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?

³ Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?

Oh that I remember, even though it is something as insignificant as a clean house or organized bedroom, God is sovereign. Instead of being prideful and bitter, causing me to disrespect John (which is yet ANOTHER sin!). My prayer is that God helps me to fight my prideful self. A great book on Pride is "Humility: True Greatness" by CJ Mahaney. It is an amazing book that I think I need to read again!

Quietness

I am sitting here trying to figure out what to write. I will have blog post ideas pop into my head almost daily, but it seems when I go to actually write something.....nothin'. lol But then I decided that I am grateful for the time in the evenings to actually be able to sit here and have my mind quiet.



A quiet mind can be such a blessing. One doesn't have to have a quiet mind when everything around you is quiet, it is possible--difficult, but possible-- to have a quiet mind in the midst of the craziness of every day life.

Some examples of how I've striven--okay not striven  I was anything but intentional about it today, but still God blessed me--to have a peaceful and quiet mind today. I carved out time for devotions. I got a tall glass of white grape and raspberry juice, sat in John's massage chair (boy is that thing amazing, we are selling it because it was an unwise emotional financial decision to buy it, but if it doesn't sell I won't be sad either lol), with pandora playing softly in the background reading God's amazing and wonderful word. Later, as I nursed Levi, I sat in that amazing chair again, once again listening to pandora this time also listening to God's word on audio. Able to sit there relaxing, spending time with my heavenly Father and share God's word with my son along with some giggles as the massage chair made mommy shake. lol He enjoyed that a lot.

It felt good to get my to do list almost accomplished. There are still things needing to get done (for example, the dishes! Always dishes! lol), but knowing that it's okay. They will get done.

What are some ways that you can think of to have a quiet mind? Maybe it is sitting back while the kids play loudly in the background, cause yourself to just observe and thank God for them. Thank God that He has blessed you with those sometimes very loud and sinful children and that you get the chance to strive to fight back against this sinful world and hopefully--Lord Willing--bring up children who will be a witness and a light in this dark world. Even in the stressful times, I pray that both you and I are able to sit back and have a quiet and peaceful mind. So, tonight, strive to have that. Cuddle with your husband, hug your kids, drink a nice warm beverage of some kind, play some soft relaxing music (I highly recommend the George Winston station on Pandora), maybe light some candles. God is good and gracious. I am thankful for this quiet mind. :)

Faith like Abraham...What Does That Mean?

I was reading today in D.L. Moody's book "Spiritual Depression" on the chapter entitled plainly "Trials." First off, this book is absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it. Yes, it is a challenging read and I have been slowly trodding through it for....well over a year. I started it when I was pregnant with Levi. Anywho, it's awesome. Don't be intimidated by how long it has taken me to read it. That is just my laziness and yet I'm thankful that it has taken me this long. It seems like each time I pick it back up, it is at just the right time.

As I was reading today, something brought to my attention Abraham and how he was very faithful. He trusted God....he really, really trusted God. His faith was real. God asked him to kill his only son!  Now, I know we have all heard this story, but let's think about it a bit more. For those of you with kids, what if God told you to kill your son or daughter? To make it even more significant (as if killing own of your own children isn't enough) let's say that you struggled to get pregnant and have children to begin with and it would be very unlikely that you would conceive another child. You were told my medical professionals that you would have no more children. This was basically their case. Yet what did he do? He trusted God. Now obviously, God probably isn't going to tell anyone to kill their children......but, what about families who have lost little ones "too early?" Or any situation really, whether it is the death of someone we love dearly or financial troubles, or the fact that all of a sudden your child refuses to eat anything at all (our minal trial at the moment), do you trust God? Obviously, that doesn't wipe away the pain, but knowing that we have an amazing God who is in control is so comforting.

If any of you are going through trials, no matter what they are, remember that God is there. Just as He was there with Abraham. Let us strive to respond as Abraham did. Let us trust our amazing God and praise Him through our tears and fears. Stay weak my friends knowing God is strong. :)

He is REALLY trying!

I got home from doing a tutoring lessons late last night and I walked into the kitchen because I was hungry. I walked into a disaster. There was popcorn all over, a 50 lb bag of popcorn on the table, the popcorn maker on the counter, meatloaf pan on the stove, baggies all over, pot holders on the stove, pop bottles on the counter, multiple cups everywhere, may not sound like a lot, but in a small kitchen....it was trashed.