The Mark of the Lion

Anyone that knows me knows how much I love to read. For that reason, I believe it is my civic duty to pass on any great reads that I come across. However, these three books don't just classify as "great reads". They classify as life and thought changing. Please, don't ever think that God can't use fiction stories (especially Christian fiction) to reveal more about Himself to you. He most definitely can. And when that happens, you find yourself pondering the Truths revealed to you for days and months to come.

The first book in the series, A Voice in the Wind, gave me a brutal look into what Rome and Ephesus were really like when Jesus walked the Earth. I had no clue the way Christians were persecuted. The amazing Truth emphasized over and over in this book was God's faithfulness. Hadessah is an amazing example of what it means to live out your faith no matter what the cost.

The next book continued the saga. However, through this book, I discovered that God doesn't let go of the people He loves and chooses to be His own. He will fight for us, protect us, and deliver us.

And the final book, to me, was all about God's grace and forgiveness. No matter how great our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins. There is nothing we can humanly do to deserve His love, but it is His free gift to us. All we have to do is believe and accept.

For me, another wonderful thing about these books was that they helped me to gain a better understanding of some of the old testament teachings. Sometimes the Old Testament can be difficult to understand. Francine Rivers does an amazing job of writing in a way that makes Biblical stories become real and understandable. I promise you, this series will go down as my all time favorite. I can't wait to share them with my mom!

What is my "If I only I had...."

After seeing this on TWO different friends' blogs today, I suspected God was trying to tell me something. Now, it's up to me whether I listen! Read (although it's long) and be blessed!

The Gracious Rescue of Surprises


by Paul Tripp

When you scan the biblical story you can’t help concluding that following God brings a life of surprises. Whatever plans God’s people made and however they tried to figure out God’s plans, they were constantly greeted with surprises. They faced turns in the story that they never would have anticipated. God’s plan again and again included things that would not have been included in the story if his people had been doing the planning.

One of the reasons for this is that we human beings tend to focus on outcomes. We simply want things to go well and turn out right. God surely does care about the end of all things, but he is graciously at work in the process as well.

The surprises along the way are God’s surprises. He is never caught off guard or unprepared. He calls us to follow him beyond the boundaries of our wisdom, strength and character. The waiting we have to do and the surprises that we face are meant by him to be tools of grace. They are designed to release us from our self-reliance and the hold our dreams for our lives have on us.

In those moments of surprise, it is important to remember that you may be confused, but God isn’t. In this moment when you are not sure what is going on, you haven’t been abandoned. No, the opposite is true: you are being rescued. But living this way is hard for us.

As pseudo-sovereigns, we hate waiting, disappointment, obstacles, and failure. We struggle to accept the fact that these things exist in a world that is under the wisest and most benevolent rule possible. C. S. Lewis comments that a hardy belief in the truths of Christianity actually makes your experience of pain more painful. It is bad enough to have to endure pain, but as a believer you must say that it was not an accident and that it was sent by a God who declares himself to be good!

To us, often God's order looks like disorder, and his wisdom looks like foolishness. God's lovingkindness often seems to be anything but loving, and definitely not kind. All of this has to do with one humbling thing that we all have to admit: as sinners, we want our own way. We want life to work according to our plan. We don’t want to have to face the unexpected or deal with disappointment. We want life to be smooth and predictable. And we want all of this because we are more concerned about our comfort and ease than we are about the processes of grace that are at work in us.

It is hard to rest in the rulership of the King when our hearts and minds are so preoccupied with the success of our own little kingdoms.

Life surprises us with the reality of who is king and how different his will and way are from ours. We have lived day after day, month after month and year after year in the world of our needs, our wants, and our dreams. We have nurtured the illusion that if God really does love us, he will give the things that we have determined are good to us.

We have convinced ourselves that if we obey, God will keep his part of the bargain and send “the good life” our way. We thought that if we parented well, then all of our children would turn out the way we hoped. We thought that if we worked faithfully then we would harvest the seeds of our investments in our later years. We thought that if we kept our bodies under subjection then the Lord would bless us with good health. We thought that if we followed the Lord in personal devotion and public worship and ministry, then our lives would be spiritually rich.

Remember, you are not alone, God's people have always struggled with the shock of his rule. The kingdom of darkness is being destroyed by the kingdom of light, and none of us can escape being affected by the carnage.

Deep beneath every struggle of doubt and confusion is a collision of kingdoms. The theology of God’s unshakable sovereignty is easier to verbalize than it is to live. The truth that a God of relentless grace is after the total transformation of our hearts, is easier to conceptualize than it is to rest in at street level.

Require yourself to be brutally honest in this moment. What is it that you really want out of life? What is it that you want from God’s hand? What is the true dream for which you have been working? What are the joys that captivate your eyes and control your heart? What is your, "If I only had , then I would be happy?"

How much have your dreams been personal, earthbound, physical, and here-and-now? Have you been motivated by your kingdom more than God's Kingdom? How is your present discouragement, disappointment, confusion or grief a window on what has actually captured your heart? Have you really wanted God to be your wise and loving Father who brings into your life what he considers best, or have you wanted him to be a divine waiter, the all-powerful deliverer of your dreams?

Could it be that you have prayed for grace, but that you don’t really like the grace that you have been given? Divine grace doesn’t always make your life simple or your pathway clear. God’s grace doesn’t always provide you with release or relief. God’s grace often brings you hardship, confusion, and surprises. These things are sent to you, not by a God who is messing with you because he’s more powerful than you, but from the hand of a God a glorious grace, who is exercising his power for the purpose of your transformation.

So, the next time God surprises you, don’t doubt his goodness, faithfulness, and love. No, lift your hands to the heavens and celebrate. You are being rescued. You are being loved. You are being delivered. You are being transformed. And be thankful that since nothing can separate you from his love, there are more gracious surprises to come!

Little Changes

Make such a HUGE difference!  A few months ago, when Joey and I rearranged our living room and put our TV above our mantle, we bought a new rug:

The new rug, plus the furniture facing the windows in our living room, made me want to get window treatments put up. So, I talked to my VERY talented principle because she has amazing taste. She probably could have done interior decorating as a profession. She has spent the last several months, helping me decide on fabric and styles of window treatments for both our living room and our kitchen. Our living room ones were finished a couple of weeks ago and I love them!

They have helped block out a ton of light, which we really needed over the summer. Our air conditioning unit isn't big enough for our house, so we've had lots of really hot days the last few months. However, a new unit was going to cost us around $8,000. Um...no. We don't have that kind of money. So, the curtains have really come in handy! Today the final touch was done....our kitchen Roman shades were installed:

We LOVE them!!!! They are so pretty. This picture doesn't do them justice. It really feels like our house is becoming more and more "homey" and more and more "us" as the days and months go by. Our next big projects are Makinley's room, Tripp's room, and the playroom. However, I'm really not sure when they are going to actually happen. Life is just so busy right now!

Birthday Cupcakes

The kids and I made cupcakes for Makinley to take to school on her birthday.

They did a great job mixing!

Such concentration

It took awhile to get all the batter in the paper cups!

But in the end it was worth it because they were a huge success!

She was so excited that we came to her school!

It was a great way to spend her actual birthday, but Tripp was devastated that I made him go to school and he didn't get to come with us!

Overdue

I feel like I've blogged about my daughter a lot recently. Parent guilt is kicking in, and I need to blog about my son as well. Tripp is doing phenomenally. School is going better than I could have ever hoped or dreamed. We are 7 weeks into the school year and he has not gotten one negative thing sent home. His teachers rave about him every time I talk to them. He has SO many wonderful people looking out for him and taking care of him at school. I can't tell you how good it does my heart that at random times I'll get emails that say, "Just saw Tripp and he was grinning from ear to ear" or "Tripp was all smiles this morning." It's so great. He is learning up a storm. He can now read and sound out so many 2-3 letter short vowel words. He loves to write words like: mom, dad, pup, up, Mak. We practice all the time. His drawings of people are becoming more and more lifelike. They now have bodies, shirts, pants, arms, legs, hands, feet, hair, and facial expressions. He is also beginning to really understand and make sense of things like days and time.
       He is getting so much easier to deal with on a daily basis and I can tell that he is outgrowing a lot of the things that you used to drive us nuts. Don't get me wrong...he still doesn't handle himself well if he is tired or hungry, but does anybody?! Makinley drives him absolutely insane sometimes, but he adores her. He CANNOT stand it if she gets in trouble. He'll tell me, "Mommmy, don't make your mad face at Makinley. I don't like it when you do that." He still continues to tell me (and his daddy) that he loves us so many times in a day that I lose count. He also asks a lot of spiritual questions. Sometimes, he really amazes me at the questions he asks. It blows my mind that Jesus is already working in his tender heart and mind. We read books together every night and right now some of our favorites are "Llama, Llama Misses Mama" and "Llama Llama, Mad at Mama." I can't believe that each and every day bring us closer to him turning FIVE years old. That is HUGE milestone. I'm thankful beyond words for this boy of mine!

Dear Makinley,

      As I sit here, reluctantly letting reality set in, I am overwhelmed by the generosity and sovereignty of God. The fact that you are three is just another example of God's grace. At a time when I didn't think I would ever want another baby, God saw fit to give me you. Then, I was tested in a way I didn't anticipate through a doctor's words of an upcoming miscarriage. Oh, how scared I was. I suddenly realized that there was nothing in this world that I wanted more than you. Nothing. I am so thankful that God heard my cry because you are the piece of our family that I didn't even realize was missing.

   
     How is it that you are THREE? I feel like I was just sitting here writing your 1st birthday letter, and now I'm writing your third. It's amazing to me. You are so full of life and from the time you wake up in the morning until the time you fall asleep at night, you embrace it full force. You are nonstop ALL day....talking, laughing, singing, dancing, dressing-up, following in your brother's footsteps, mothering your baby dolls, cooking in your kitchen, asking me to hold you, and filling our lives full of joy. You grow more and more beautiful each and every day, and I love being able to dress you in girly clothes and fix your hair. The best is when you go to find your daddy and twirl around in whatever outfit you have on, just to hear him say, "You're so pretty. You're my pretty, pretty princess." It's our daily routine.

    You continue to be our more adventurous and healthy eater. Some of your favorite foods include salad, carrots, apple sauce, yogurt, and bananas. I wish you would rub off on your brother a little bit! :-) However, if we would let you, you would eat no less than 10 popsicles every single day. From the day we brought you home from the hospital, until today, your favorite place to sleep is either on my chest, or curled up into my side. Honestly, as sleep deprived as I am, I cherish this about you. I love it that when you are tired, you still want to snuggle in close to your mommy and fall sleep. I know these days won't last forever, so I'm going to hold on tight to them for as long as I can.

    I have such prayers for you as you grow. I pray God gives you the hunger to know Him more. I pray that you seek His will daily in your life. I pray that you seek to have a close and personal relationship with Him. When it's all said and done, that's all that matters. I can dress you up in pretty clothes, and put sweet bows in your hair. I can pray with you at night, and let you lead our family in the blessing at mealtimes. However, at some point, the responsibility will become yours. It won't matter how pretty your clothes are if your heart isn't seeking Him. There is no greater beauty than that of a woman who lives her life sold out to God, and that is my heart's strongest desire for you. So, although today you are only 3, and you still need your mommy and daddy in countless numbers of ways, my prayers for your school, teenage, and adult years have already begun. Those years will be here before I know it, and I want to make sure that I have paved the way for you in prayer.

    I love you, my precious girl, and I'm so thankful that you are ours. Happy 3rd Birthday!
Love,
Mommy

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There is no one on this earth I would rather go through life with than Joey. He is absolutely, without a doubt, God's perfect other half to me. As the years have gone by, I can truly say that I no longer know where I end and he begins. I am blessed beyond measure to have him as my husband. I LOVE you, Joey, and I hope that on your birthday, you feel God's love, peace, and blessings!

Sweet Sixteen

Somewhere along the way the last few weeks, my daughter decided that being a toddler/preschooler just wasn't in the game plan anymore and decided to full on start talking like she's a teenager. I don't know where it's coming from and I've spent most of the last few weeks trying to decide if I should laugh or discipline. Joey says that she just says what she hears coming out of her momma's mouth, but it sounds so much different coming from a 3 year old than it does a 30 year old. Here are a few case in points that I don't want to ever forget.

• A couple of nights ago, she was standing in the playroom and said, "This place is nothing but a junk."
• Riding in the car with my mom over the weekend, she said, "GiGi, your car is nothing but a junk."
• Riding in the car to my parents house, she was being so sweet playing with her doll. All of the sudden, I saw her through the rear view mirror....she gripped her babies face and said with teeth clenched tight, "If you get out of this bed again, I'm going to spank you." Yes....go ahead...call DFACS....I'm guilty, but I had reached my breaking point.
• Last night, at 8:30 I said, "Makinley, I have an idea." She said, "What, mommy?" I said, "Go to sleep." She said, "Get a new idea, Mommy."
• Tonight in the restaurant, Makinley was being way too loud. I said, "Makinley, come here I need to tell you a secret." She came over and leaned forward and I said, "Use your quiet voice." She said, "Mommy, let me tell you a secret." I leaned forward and she said, "I don't want to."
• Riding home tonight from being out to eat, Joey told her that he wasn't going to take her DVD player down from the back of my seat. Under her breath, she said, "When I get home, I'm going to take that DVD player down if I want to." (this one definitely required discipline)

  People, I don't know if you noticed, but all of the above examples happened in the last week alone. It's a little ridiculous. Heaven help us when she is actually sixteen. It'll be by the grace of God if she and I both make it through those years alive.

A Bouncing Good Time

I was a little nervous that Makinley's birthday celebration wasn't going to happen this year. On Friday afternoon, I got a call from Joey that he was on his way to pick her up from the sitter's because she had thrown up. I was devestated because I thought I was going to have to cancel her party. Luckily, Jesus took care of it and she never threw up again and was just fine on Saturday morning. I guess it was just some fluke thing to keep me on my toes!

    The birthday celebration started with GiGi and Poppa reavealing Mak's big gift! She waited so patiently to see what was coming!

A Barbie bike! This is the only gift she actually requested. Well, this and her pillow pet that she got from Grammie!

After getting her present from GiGi and Poppa we headed to her party. Christen and I decided to throw a joint birthday party this year for Makinley and Bailey. There were born exactly two weeks apart, and we always invite a lot of the same people to both parties, so it made sense to combine them. It was a great idea and we loved it! Hoping we can do it again in the future. Now, for picture overload!

Makinley wanted a Barbie princess cake and Bailey wanted a Barney cake! They got what they requested!

The birthday girls!

A family shot

So much fun to throw a party together! We were exhausted when it was over though!

She convinced me to go down the slide with her. It was fun but I got a HUGE blister on the back of my heel because I didn't have on socks. Note to self...always have socks with me at The Jump Gym.

Of course, presents are always fun!

There are no words for how much I love this child! Her birthday party was a huge success and the smiles on her face made my day!!!