Dawning of a new day...

Because of my husband's new job, I rise earlier than I did before...due to being pregnant and a bit "sicky" in the morning, I was often tempted to crawl back into bed after saying our farewells, but I have chosen most mornings to stay up, enjoy the quietness of the house, the stillness and the wonderful alone time with God. A result of having this time, just me, my Bible, and God...I enjoy the beauty of the rising sun...how it slowly and predictably rises ready for a new day. A day full of opportunities and choices ready to be lived out.

How can I make the best choice, make the most of my day, and follow God's instruction? The Lord has shown me in His Word...

"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
Psalm 19:7&8

Thank you Lord for your Word, that will make me wise. For your precepts that are right, as I REJOICE in my heart, thank you for enlightening my eyes as I seek your wisdom.

FOUR months and counting...

Here is a picture to show the "baby bump" that is quickly growing...I am four months along with our precious gift, number 5. :)

HAPPY Valentine's Day....

Happy Valentine's Day to the LOVE of my life...my best friend, my hero, my biggest fan...I am so very blessed beyond words with the man of God that I am privileged to proudly say is my husband.
I love you my Lovey and consider myself blessed and spoiled when I think of how wonderful you continually are towards me in this journey of life together...I thank God for all He has brought our way, to mold us more into what He has planned for us as a couple and as a family...I am so proud of you and stand with you, forever and always...just the thought of being with you makes me count down the minutes until you come home from work...I love you and treasure you.
Loving you because of HIS perfect love for us,
Your wife and friend

a divided heart...

I have started reading the book Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, an author that I have come to greatly enjoy, as she encourages and spurs me on in my MISSION of being a mommy! I highly recommend her books to all moms. This morning in my reading time, the words, "a divided heart" spoke to me. She is writing about how as moms, in todays culture, we often have divided hearts when taking on the task of mothering our children. Being a full time "wholehearted" mom, as she writes, is not a desired or even admired position in todays world. Women are encouraged to go out and "make a name for themselves" and should not waste all their skills on the home...but for those of you reading who have the same heart as I, firmly believing that the Word of God makes it clear as to what God commands of us mothers...that we are to be the heart of our homes, to care for the children entrusted to us, to fully put all our God given talents into nuturing our children, keeping our homes means to FULLY dive into this task, a blessing and HIGH calling! Often, though, moms tend to "half-heartedly" take on this task, even though their hearts LONG to fully put their hearts into mothering, the voices of today echo in our minds....voices of today's culture saying that they really should focus on their career first and in the end their precious children get the left overs...Sally's focus was on working moms...but as I read, the Lord was showing me that even though I have strong convictions about being fully focused on keeping my home and raising my children, my heart can be divided also...in the areas of HOW I am keeping my home and training and teaching my children.

I am home and LOVE it, but there are always areas in my own heart and choices that I make when I am not WHOLE-heartedly focusing on what I know I should be...in the areas of training and correcting, in teaching, even household chores, because at times, to a fault, I focus on the needs of my house, the chores take priority to that of my children's hearts...you see, I know God is showing me there MUST be a balance, as the sun rises on each NEW day, I must seek God's wisdom in what must be done in that day and how I must allow HIM to lead me and show me where my heart must be fully focused...each day and for each home, each mom, these things change and differ. The Lord has shown me and continues to teach me that for ME, I must focus on what HE is showing me and be obedient. Walking with Him daily, He leads me in what needs to be priority for that moment in the day...ultimately, God has shown me that my dear children are only young once, with hearts so ready to be molded and taught, that NOW is the time to reach them... God has entrusted them to my husband and I, myself as their mommy am home with them during the day, with many opportunities to teach and mold them. I am so very blessed and privileged!

Sally does a wonderful job teaching us that there is beauty in raising our families and enjoying them as we raise them. She is an encouragement and so kindly writes of how all moms of today need to evaluate and consider where their hearts are in their role of mothering. For me, today, God has taught me and I am thankful.

So, all this to say :) that EVEN while I am home and putting my heart, soul, and mind into being obedient to what the Lord has shown me to do...I can still have a divided heart when I don't take time to evaluate and allow God's Word to show me where my heart is for that day and time...for me, while I am a "stay at home mom" I can still be selfish and not FULLY and WHOLE-heartedly put my all into being a mom and wife, keeper of the home. A divided heart is not only for working moms...I am NOT off the hook cause I am home...GOD knows my heart.

I NEED you God and thank you for your WORD that is ALIVE and active in showing me my selfish heart, how I can so easily just "rest" in my convictions and not put some "feet" to them...all the while, becoming "divided" in where my heart should FULLY be...
Thank you for showing me and teaching me...

LORD help me...as I desire to be a WHOLE-hearted mother.

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."
Proverbs 31:26-27

happy birthday nana

A Happy Happy Birthday to my mom. A special friend she is....a blessing and a help. I wish you a GREAT birthday MOM and LOVE you so very much. Thanks for the many things you do for me and my family. You serve from a heart that loves.
Your grandchildren ALL over the world LOVE you and send you Birthday HUGS and love.
You are a great Nana!
LOVE YOU!

thankful hearts...

I write to express how thankful I am for wonderful friendships that bless and encourage...thank you for those that have left a comment, called, emailed :) or have just "been there" for our family...I didn't want to give out details, as the matter we have gone through is something we need to keep quiet about...that very fact can make it hard to do so...GOD is our ROCK and I am so very thankful for dear friends and family that love us and support us! We have been overwhelmed with prayers, even though most don't know the specifics....be assured that we are well and adjusting.
For those of you who know us in person, you know that this change is actually a change of lifestyle, from fast paced to now a free calendar!! We are enjoying it, yet it is an adjustment...our children are thrilled to say the least at all this extra Daddy time! :)
Thank you again for those that have prayed for our family...some of you I have never met in person, yet you love on our family and that encourages my heart greatly!!
I am blessed to have "met" you through this blogworld and return the blessing by praying for your families today, as you encounter what the Lord is bringing your way. He is GOOD and worthy to be praised!!
Blessed beyond measure...