A new land

"Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." Joshua 21:45

My son and I are reading through the book of Joshua.  We just finished the run down of the land distribution to the twelve tribes of Israel.  It read a lot like a genealogy, a list that goes on and on with lots of names my East Texas twang has a hard time pronouncing.  We had a lot of fun trying to decipher the different names of cities and villages.  I often reminded my son, and myself, as we read those chapters that this list, though tiresome at times, is actually very important for many different reasons; one of which is that it displays the faithfulness of God.  The Lord promised the Israelites this land, and this list is evidence of His fulfilled promise. 

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" Isaiah 55:11

But, after wandering around in the desert for 40 years, I wonder if maybe the Israelites grappled with letting go.

Letting go?  Of what? 

Well, of the wilderness.  Of the identity that went with it.  Of the miraculous provision of the Lord.  Of the anticipation of the promised land. 

The Lord promised them the land, and He is faithful.  Forever faithful.  But forty years is a long time.  A long time.

I have found myself entering a new land recently.  Land promised over ten years ago.  Ten years of praying and waiting, and faithful provision from the Lord.  Ten years of adjusting to the wilderness.  Of learning to live and breathe and be in the wilderness.  Of becoming one 'who waits on the Lord for the land of promise.'  Ten years of creating an identity.

And now?

First, please hear me.  I am in no way desiring the wilderness again.  I pray every day that this promised land stays, and I never go back to that wilderness.  I take delight in the Word of the Lord, and His promises.  He is faithful, beyond compare and comprehension. 

It is just a lot different than the wilderness, and very surreal.  When you pray for something and pray for something and wait for it, it is almost unfathomable when it finally arrives.  There is a way of life in that wilderness which will not suffice in the promised land.  You can not be a 'wilderness man' and dwell in the land of promise. 

But, hallelujah, the Lord changes us in the wilderness.  The majority of the children of Israel were not ready for the promised land initially; they were down right scared.  The Lord 'changed' them, literally to a great degree, until they were ready. 

And He has changed me.  I am not the same person who entered that wilderness ten years ago.  He has prepared me for this land. It has been long and it has been hard, but He is long suffering and His love endures.

So, though I enter with slight trepidation, I also enter with trumpets of praise and shouts of joy!

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Ps. 100:4-5

Simple or Easy

We moved.  We did. 

We moved from one small town to another, even smaller, town. 

It all happened so fast there are times it is hard to believe.  If you knew the whole story you would wholeheartedly agree that the Lord is up to something in all of this.  Isn't He always?  But He chose to make Himself undeniably visible in this one.  Undeniably. 

You know how sometimes you are moving forward to something that is good, better even, yet you do not want to let go of where you were, where things were comfortable and safe and familiar.  It may not be the best for you, but you 'know' it.  And, though where He is leading you is much better, it is new, and unknown, and let's be honest, a little scary. 

Why is it that we hold on to that which is bad for us when that which is best for us is right there?  What is it about comfort and security that we crave more than our own good at times?

Jesus once spoke to a man, an invalid for 38 years, by the pool of Bethesda, as recorded in the gospel of John chapter 5.  Of course, a man like that would want to be healed.  Of course he would want to take up his mat and walk away from all of it.  Yet, Jesus asked the man, "Do you want to be healed?"

Seriously?  After 38 years, do you have to ask?

Apparently so. 

The first night in the new house was just awful.  I was tired, extremely tired.  The washing machine and the dishwasher were leaking.  I couldn't use my shower and we did not think the other shower worked either, so I had to take a bath.  At 10 o'clock that night.  After everyone else was nestled warmly in bed.  With no hot water.

It was cold.

I would have cried if I had the energy.  Moving didn't seem like such a good idea at that moment. 

Isn't it funny?  He moved us.  Clearly, He did.  But since it wasn't all smooth sailing and peaches 'n cream,  I wasn't sure I wanted to do it anymore. 

When did He say it would be smooth, or easy?  Today in language arts, my son had to take a survey asking three people what they thought was the difference between simple and easy.  Simple, for me, means not complicated or complex.  Easy, on the other hand, means requiring little to no effort.  No, I wouldn't say following Christ is easy.  Simple? Yes, but not easy.

Amazing and life-altering?  Yes.

Requiring little to no effort?  Not so much.

Worth it?

Absolutely.

Somewhat of an update

 Things have been a tad busy around here the last couple of weeks.  Big changes are coming.  I guess I should say 'MORE' big changes are coming.

 

  It has been an eventful year thus far.  Blessed for sure, but eventful nonetheless.

 The last three weeks have been especially full of activity, and fast-paced activity at that.

 So, the other day we took a walk through some neighborhoods in our small town. A quiet afternoon.  A chance to slow down and be still.

 It was a beautiful day, a very 'spring-like' day for the middle of winter. 

 We found this creek and explored up and down its banks.  I grew up on a farm and spent many days wandering along creeks, and in the woods.  I am so glad that my kids have the opportunity to do the same, especially since we live in town.  The beauty of small town America.

 This frog is a new favorite. He makes me smile.

 So does this one. 

 As I was looking through the pictures again, and thinking about the craziness that has been our lives the last few weeks, I was reminded of Psalm 46.

"God is our refuge and strength,   a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,  ³ though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. ⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. ⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;  the God of Jacob is our fortress. "

He WILL be exalted.

Looking back

A couple of months ago, we had a power surge that fried many of our electronics, one of which was an old CD/radio/cassette player.  I know, right.  Who even owns cassettes anymore??

Um, well, we do actually.

But that is not the point of this story.  So, the speakers for the CD player died, and we are trying to find some new ones, which is not as easy as going to Walmart.  It is a REALLY old CD player.

How old you may ask?  Well, hubbie gave it to me on Valentine's Day my freshman year in college, in 1998.  Yeah, 1998.


Thinking back on that day got me to thinking back on us.

We began dating our junior year in high school, 1996 to be exact.  Whoa, that makes me feel old!  This January will mark 17 years that we have been together.

You see, many people never thought we'd make it. Quite a few didn't think he would make it period, but especially not US.

And, not that we have 'made it'.

But, thus far the Lord has helped us.

God is so awesome, and to be sure, He is the reason we are together.  He has saved us from ourselves more times than we can count.  He has renewed, refreshed and resurrected our love and our marriage.  The Lord is our sustenance; He is our strength.  He is very literally the glue that holds us together.

There is no other explanation.


He is our Ebenezer. 

Friday Five

Okay, for this week's Friday Five I am listing five more of my favorite Christmas songs.

1.  Sleigh Ride - I just love this song!!

2.  White Christmas - Bing Crosby.  I am sorry but he does it best.

3.  Carol of the Bells -

4.  Winter Wonderland

 

5.  Jingle Bells - Bing, again, this time with the Andrews sisters

So, I know you have more favorites???

Reminder

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. HE makes me to lie down in green pastures, HE leads me beside the still waters.

HE restores my soul.

HE leads me in the paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for HE is with me.  His rod and His staff they comfort me.  HE prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  HE anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. 

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

(from Psalm 23)

I needed this reminder today.

Competition

Does anyone else have children that are extremely competitive, especially with one another?

Anyone?

No?

Well, we do.  They get it from their dad.  Yeah, that's it.  They get it from him, all him.

I mean, my daughter is so competitive that tonight when we were dipping pretzels she would take the pretzel right off my fork.  The pretzel I already dipped mind you.  Apparently, I dipped more than her.  She even asked me to stop for a while so she could catch up.  I told her several times that it was not a competition, but I am pretty sure that just made her dip faster.

This competitive streak especially shines during the school hours.

But, why?  Why such competition? They are in the same family.  They are supposed to be working towards the same goal.  They are both loved by Hubs and I.  There is nothing to compete for; no prize, no trophy.  Nothing.  I know it is natural, and to a degree even healthy. 

It makes me wonder, though.  When do we grow out of it?  As Christians?

When do we stop trying to compete with each other?  For the bigger, better church?  For the desirable positions?  For our Father's love?

We are all in the same family.  We should be working towards the same goal.  We are all loved by our Father.

And, to a degree, is it healthy even now?

Is it?

Or is it just sibling rivalry?

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" 1 Cor. 12:13

Friday Five

I know this is a little late, but here is this week's Friday Five edition - Christmas movies!!!

1.  Holiday Inn - I know this isn't a movie only about Christmas, but it will always be a Christmas movie to me.  I mean, this is the movie that introduced 'White Christmas.'

2.  A Charlie Brown Christmas - The absolute best part is the very end when Linus explains the real reason for Christmas. Classic.

3.  Elf - just laugh out loud funny.

4. How the Grinch stole Christmas - another classic

5.  White Christmas - just can't get enough Bing Crosby at Christmas, and Danny Kaye is hilarious.

Okay, again this is not an exhaustive list, but it is a start.  So what are some of your staples for Christmas movies?

It never ends

The kids and I went to a birthday party at a local park.  It was a gorgeous day and perfect for the park. The birthday boy and his family are in the same homeschool co-op that we are, and of course there were several homeschoolers in attendance.  The kids had a blast playing with all their friends, and I got to visit with some of the other homeschool moms.


While visiting with a couple of the moms, we shared similar stories about the comments and 'looks' homeschoolers sometimes receive, especially when we are out and about in the middle of the day. We laughed at the funny, and sometimes embarrassing, things are kids say regarding their schooling, and how they always seem to say them to those people.  You know, the ones who already think we just sit in our pajamas all day and watch movies or play video games.  Sometimes I wonder if kids inherently know to say the wrong things to the wrong people!!

I have to be honest, having other mothers to talk with and compare with and brainstorm with is one of the greatest blessings of this group.  It is such a relief to know that we are not the only people out there who really believe in what we are doing. I have learned lots of tricks of the trade and gotten a lot of cool ideas from this amazing group of ladies. Plus, it is a Christian co-op so we also share about our faith, our parenting, and just, our lives in general, from a Godly perspective with Godly advice and encouragement.  This is priceless to me.  

Another great thing about this particular group of ladies is the ability to just laugh it off, and trust in the Lord. No matter what people say. And people will say what they will, and will probably never stop.  All I can do is what He has instructed me to do - trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not on my understanding, rejoice always, pray ALL THE TIME, and give thanks, even for the naysayers.   

Life of a Homeschooler

Today the kids made boats out of magnolia leaves and maple leaves. They actually worked!!!  My son 'had' to take a bath just to make sure.  He said they lost a few little people in the battle, but the boats were a success.

We also painted shields and swords, made Christmas sugar cookies, and went to the library, not to mention school.  I told my son on the way home from the library that I just wanted some time to sit and do nothing because I felt like all we have done today is go, go, go. 

He said, "I feel like that every day."

So true.

I sure thought that 'staying home' would give me a little more time.  Boy was I wrong!!

But it is so amazing; I absolutely love it!

Next week we will start making all of our Christmas goodies.  Since the kids are not in 'school' we will not need to give as many away.  That's too bad :)  More for me!!  I mean, us.

I'll end with this.

While we were making sugar cookies, I told the kids that the Lord was using them to teach mommy.  Yes, I was a little 'stressed' with all the flour mountains and homemade concoctions. 

But Princess was in awe.  She said, "Wow, God is using us!"

Oh that I would have that same awe when the Creator of the heavens and the earth, my Savior, chooses to use me.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10

Interesting

Okay, since it is late, for me, and I am tired, I will just write this one out and leave the analogy-making to you guys.

Hubs said that at his job one of the bolts kept testing for an abnormality.  The tests showed there was a crack in the bolt somewhere.  The crack was not visible to the naked eye, nor some kind of sonogram technique, and yes I asked if it was a boy or girl.  Of course I did. Anyway, with all the high tech machinery to see the tiniest of cracks, they still saw nothing.

Nothing. 

Until they cut it in open. 

And there they were.

Two very small, very, very small, cracks that brought down the whole thing.

Hummmmmm.

One of those days

'Good morning Mom, I was bit by a spider!'

That will wake you up better than a cup of coffee!  I hate spiders.  I mean I REALLY hate spiders.  So, when my son told me this morning that he had been bit, and it was really swollen, and then when I looked at it and saw to two little dots, well, let's just say I called my mommy and deep cleaned his room, almost immediately.

He is fine now, but you wouldn't waste a prayer if you said one for him, and his mom.

Also, my daughter lost a tooth today.  YEA!  This particular tooth has been loose for almost two months, and that is just too long.  I could constantly hear my dad's voice in my head telling me 'it has to be pulled, it has to be pulled, or it will mess up her teeth forever!'  

It was a team effort to get this one out; mommy is not a fan of pulling someone's teeth.  It's just kind of weird.  But we did it, and now I have to put money under her pillow, or so I am told by one excited toothless girl.  I hope she accepts quarters :)

I just have to say that after the craziness of this day, I need something lighthearted.  So, I am going to brag on my children.  I know, I know.  Bragging is not polite.  I really have no excuse other than that the most wonderful highlights of the day involved my kids doing some really cool stuff.

Sister helped her brother and I as we cleaned his room.  She dusted and swept and put away Legos, all without one complaint. 

They both did their school work diligently, and without arguing.

At Walmart, both of them eagerly helped me with the groceries, though that may have been because they were ready to leave asap.  They shopped for the Angel Tree girl and boy with enthusiasm and excitement, without one concern for themselves.  They were excited to get things the other child would really like.  They went and got help when I spilled the black paint on the floor, and they said things like 'Excuse me' and 'Thank you.' 

In the midst of the chaos of today, my children shined bright with the Light.

And I am ever so grateful to be with them, to see it and not miss it.

Advent

Advent, the coming, the arrival, begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas.  A time of preparation for and celebration of the coming of Christ.

Growing up, we always had an Advent wreath in church. Each Sunday of the season a family would read selected Scripture before lighting the specified candle in the wreath.  Sometimes there were Advent devotional books produced by the church. At home, there was an Advent calendar, made by my mom, that hung in our living room, and each day we would pull off the corresponding number and see what picture lay behind. We have one even now hanging in our living room, made by my mom and me. All the girls have one. 

Such wonderful memories.

So what memories am I making for my children concerning Advent?  Am I teaching them to prepare for the coming Messiah?  Does our Advent calendar count down the days toward Christmas presents or the birth of Christ?

Am I truly conveying the wait, that time between the promise of His arrival, and the fulfillment of that promise?

Do I even understand the agony of that wait?

And the joy that was in the morning?

With His arrival, we, you and I, have hope.

The hope.

Our only hope.

I want my children to anticipate the coming of Christ MORE than the opening of presents. 

We say He is the greatest gift of all, but do we celebrate like it?

And am I teaching my children to?


"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11

Friday Five

Hello again, it's me.  Who else?

And it is time for Friday Five!!!  I know that you are tremendously excited, as am I, and I know the anticipation is killing you!!

So, for this week's Friday Five.... Christmas songs!!!

Honestly, I may do this one twice because there are just soooooooooooo many!!!!!  I start singing Christmas songs, well actually I never stop singing Christmas songs.  I just love them all, but especially those specifically about Christ.  So, this first set is dedicated to just those.  No commercial, just Jesus. 

okay here are five, in no particular order.

1.  O holy night.  love love love this song, and the lyrics are awesome.

2.  O Come, O Come Emmanuel

3.  Joy to the World

4.  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

5.  Angels we have heard on high

Okay, so what are some of your favorites?

A Thankful Heart

"giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," Ephesians 5:20

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Th. 5:18

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving, with food, lots of food, family, laughter, shopping, hugs, and lots of fun.  We had a wonderful week.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the kids and I did some extra reading on the Pilgrims and their journey to the new world.  We learned about the reasons they left, what they were hoping for, the struggles they endured on the Mayflower, and then in Plymouth colony that first winter.  Did you know that only 4 married women survived through the first winter? Wow. The Pilgrims suffered through harsh weather, harsh shipmates, bitter cold, lack of supplies, too many days at sea, sickness, disease, and hunger.  Things we only read about.

So, when the fall harvest came in, and they looked upon their bounty, and praised the Lord for His blessings, they truly had a thankful heart.  Sometimes, it is the hardships that bring the most gratitude.  But we are to give thanks for all things and in all circumstances.  Bad, and good.  Hard, and easy. 

Let us not forget to give thanks always, not just on Thanksgiving.  Let us consistently look upon the Lord's blessings and His bounty in our lives and praise His Holy name.

Father, let me always have a thankful heart.

Love

The Sunday school lesson this week was about love;  1 Cor. 13 to be exact.  You know, the 'love' chapter.  As we discussed the definition of love and its different aspects, I asked the class who they knew that exhibited this kind of love.

Silence.

They all said the same thing - no one.

Yeah, me neither.  Of all the people that I know, including myself, no one shows this kind of love.  Maybe certain aspects of it, like patience or kindness.  But not the whole package all the time.   Think of all the people you know.  Anyone?  I didn't think so.

There is no one who loves like that.

Oh wait.  I do know someone.  There is this one guy.

He is patient, kind, never envious, not boastful, not proud.  He is a gentleman, never rude, selfish, or short-tempered.  He doesn't remind me of every wrong thing I have ever done.  He does not rejoice in iniquity but in truth.  He protects.  He is faithful.  He is my hope.  He never fails.

He embodies this entire definition.  He is love.

He is one amazingly awesome guy. 

His name is Jesus.

Power Surge

I wish I could say that I have some great theological point to make with the title, but I don't.  We had a power surge last week which fried several electrical devices, including the modem, and I have been without internet.  I am at the library typing this and do not have much time.

So, just so no one worries that I fell off the face of the earth, I wanted to give an update.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Words

We took a walk today.  It was beautiful weather outside and we were having a great time.  Until, the sibling rivalry kicked in.  Oh yes, that constant battle between brother and sister. 

'I am faster.' ' No, you're not!'  'Yes I am!' 'Well I'm stronger!' 'No you're not!' 'yes I am'

Constant arguing and bickering.

Phil. 2:14 "Do all things without complaining or arguing."

So, when it began in the middle of the road while on our walk, I did the unthinkable.  First, I asked them to stop. See that is my way of being polite.  My mom would always ask my sisters and I to do things, when what she really meant was 'DO IT!'  She was just being polite.

No go.  The battle continued.  So, I TOLD them to stop.

That should do it right?  I mean, I actually told them, not asked them, so there you go. Right?

Ummm, no.  Still going at it.

Now comes the unthinkable part - I spanked them.  Right there on the road.  I know, terrible isn't  it? 

Anyway, what ensued was a wonderful and applicable discussion of the 'punishing' aspect of discipline, or training up.  I asked my son if he heard me ask them to stop, and he did.  I asked if he heard me TELL them to stop, and he did.  Then, I asked if either one of them had listened and obeyed my words.  He answered that they did not. 

'So, if you do not obey my words, then what can I do to get your attention so that you do obey?'

Hmm.  I wonder how many times the Lord has asked me the same question.

"Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

" For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." Hebrews 12:6

I'm cool??

Did you know that I am cool?

What?  You didn't?

Yeah, me neither.  But apparently, I am.

You see, there is this one little girl, who is absolutely precious in her own right, who thinks I am the coolest around.  At least she must because not only does she want to be with me all the time, she copies almost everything I do.

Scary, right?

But it is also amazing, and humbling.

She wants to dress like me, talk like me.  She definitely acts like me.  She wants to wash her face the same way I wash mine, with the same wash (which is oil, and is totally safe for her).  She wants to use the same shampoo and conditioner, the same body wash.  She wants to cook and to teach and to lead, which is just another way of saying 'to boss'.  And as an added bonus, she wants to be with me, constantly.

She likes me.  I mean, she really likes me.

I may have posted about this before, and if I have I am sorry.  There are just these moments where it just hits me.  The awesome, overwhelming, beautiful, humbling responsibility God has given me as her mother.

Who is she really seeing when she looks at me?  While she is copying me, who am I copying?  The world?  My own flesh?

Or, am I copying the only One Worthy?  When she sees me, does she see Him?  When she is spending constant time with me, is she also with Him?

That's a lot of pressure, right? Right. It is. A lot of pressure. 

Which is actually the beauty of it all.

Because with all that pressure, there is only one place for me to go - on my knees at His feet.

He is my only hope for her.  And the more she copies me, the more I run to Him.  The more the pressure builds, the more I realize my constant need for Christ.

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."  Romans 13:14

Friday Five

And we're back!  It's time for Friday Five again.

This week's topic is ..........

five of my favorite things about November!!!

1.  No more Halloween.  I am sorry but I am not a fan of all the negative junk that goes with Halloween. Not. at. all.

2.  The Thankful Game.  This is game played via email with family and friends and families' friends and friends' families!!  Such a fun game and such a blessing!!!

3.  A very dear loved ones' birthday.  Oh I love this dear one and love the excitement surrounding this special day!

4.  Pumpkin.  I know I have used pumpkin for a Friday Five on desserts, but it is just soooooo yummy that I can't celebrate November without it!  Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin.  ummmmm

5.  Finally, and of course, Thanksgiving.  I just love Thanksgiving.  A whole day of family and food and fun and celebrating the Lord.  Just love it!! oh and let's don't forget the pumpkin pie :)

so, what do you like about November???

Have a blessed weekend!