strength

The past few years, I have tried to be aware of different times that I feel the Lord is giving me a verse to use for guidance. 

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

These are words that I need and cherish right now. 

I have set some goals for myself, and I plan to keep this verse close to my heart and always present in my mind. 

And these 2 very important words also!

 

 

 



Psalm 139

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

This verse has been popping up a lot in my life lately.  This year, I have tried to be more aware of verses that I feel the Lord is trying to give me or use to teach or comfort me.

I find it has helped me to more easily find a scripture when I need one to focus or meditate upon something. 

And it's amazing, how when I need answers to questions I have or comfort for emotions I have... if I wait, listen, and keep my mind aware that he is listening and will not fail me.... He always answers with a verse. 

I know, it's just amazing... but not surprising really.... He's GOD! 

Honesly, I'm not even sure why this verse has been touching me lately.  But, I am so comforted when I read it.   Maybe God knows that I'll need it soon, and He wants it readily available to me at that time. 



 

thank you mom and dad...

As a child, every morning before we went to school, my mom or dad prayed with us.

It wasn't a long prayer, and the content of the prayer was usually the same.

But, we took a minute to ask for God's protection and safety.  That he would be with us and guide us.

If there was anything special about the day or any certain concerns for that day, we would take it to him during the prayer also.

As a child, this is one of the precious memories I treasure.

My parents taught me that I could go to my heavenly Father for anything at anytime.

I'm so thankful for their example in this area.

I have continued these prayers with Carson.  It is a part of our morning routine on the way to school.

And he doesn't like to miss it.

We also pray at night before bed together.  His nightly request along with safety and protection of him and our family and friends is for GOOD DREAMS.  This is important to him, and he asks his heavenly Father for this each night.

I hope he treasures this time of prayer when he is older, just like I do.

    And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21: 22

choose joy {14}

Carson has been sick since Tuesday afternoon.  His fever was around 104 most of the day yesterday and through the night.  So, I decided to take him to the doctor this morning.  His only symptoms were fever and a headache (until he threw up this morning). But, I wanted to make sure he didn't have strep.  Some kids at school had strep with no sore throat and since we have Xmas this weekend with the Sallees, I wanted to make sure it wasn't OR get him the meds he needs if it was.... It was not!  Thank goodness!


And he is feeling much better today.  He's still a bit weak, and not eating a lot, yet....


I hope with enough liquids and rest today... he should be back to school tomorrow.

His fever was much lower this morning.  He actually gave me a smile in the doc's office.

I must get a new phone... the pic is blurry but you get the idea...

He had to get his throat swabbed. 


Last time we had to do that, it took FOUR of us to hold him and get it done.


He is usually not a defiant kid.  Especially in public.  But he has a massive gag reflex and HATES to have anything put down his throat.  


I prepared him today, and bribed him with a Cherry Cream Slush at Sonic after we left IF he would be brave and let the nurse very QUICKLY swabbed his throat.  She gave him a drink of water right after the swab, and that really seemed to help him.  

Through all of this the past couple of days, I was pretty sure it was just a virus... but of course, as a parent, you always pray that it's not anything more serious.  


I just recently started following a blog Lil Blue Boo.  She was recently diagnosed with cancer while she thought she was just a few months along being pregnant, but it turned out to be a cancerous growth.  She had to have emergency surgery and they were not able to save her uterus.


She recently lost her father, and his last words to her were "live the life you dreamed" and "choose joy"


She is currently doing Chemotherapy and going on to more aggressive treatment because of recent findings.  You can read all about it on her blog if you're interested...


But I brought this up, because I am AMAZED at her attitude and zest for life that she continues to have.  She tries to live by her father's words and choose joy throughout this whole process.  I know she truly appreciates every day she is given.  And it has reminded me how precious life is.  And none of us are guaranteed anything when it comes to the length of our earthly lives.


I want to remember to CHOOSE JOY everyday... even when my baby is sick with a virus that will go away quickly.  


I want to remember to CHOOSE JOY everyday... even though I am realizing that unless God decides to work a miracle... we will probably always be a family of 3.  And that's okay.  I am so blessed with my 1 miraculous baby.


I want to remember to CHOOSE JOY... when I think that I feel so tired and out of shape.  I am thankful that I can work out, eat healthy,  go to work, and do so many things that I take for granted each day.


I want to remember to CHOOSE JOY... when relationships are disappointing or broken.  I have the ability to work on them, fix them, or move on.  Either way, it's an option because I am living and healthy.


I want to remember to CHOOSE JOY...  during this season that is the reminder that all joy comes from a little baby boy, Jesus.  


He is JOY. 


And I am so grateful.


During this season, which can be hard for many people.  If certain things about this season are hard... focus on the parts that can bring you joy.  Even if it means forgoing certain traditions that remind you of lost loved ones or babies that are dreamed of.


Focus on Jesus' love for you.  He will carry us all through.  And we can choose to focus on the JOY that is him... ETERNAL life of JOY with him.  FOREVER.  It does NOT get better than that.

CHOOSE JOY

buttprints in the sand

{Buttprints in the Sand}

One night I had a wondrous dream,

One set of footprints there was seen,

The footprints of my precious Lord,

But mine were not along the shore.

But then some strange prints appeared,

And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"

Those prints are large and round and neat,

"But Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,

"For miles I carried you along.

I challenged you to walk in faith,

But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,

The walk of faith, you would not know,

So I got tired, I got fed up,

And there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,

When one must fight, and one must climb,

When one must rise and take a stand,

Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

 

 

Our principal shared this poem with us... It's quite a different take on the comforting other version of Footprints in the Sand.  But, I guess God knows when we need to be carried, and when we need a little tough love.  Either way, He never leaves us.  And I am so thankful for that.