Friday Five

It's that time again!!!!

Friday Five, and I am really glad it's Friday.

This has been an amazing week, crazy and busy, but amazingly blessed.

So my Friday Five for this week .......

Five fabulous family-friendly classic TV shows.

1.  The Cosby Show

2.  The Andy Griffith Show

3.  Full House

4.  Growing Pains

5.   And this last one is perhaps an exception, simply because I can not remember if it is family friendly or not.  But hubbie was a fan and requested that I include it, apparently he had a crush on Winnie. :)

 okay so what did I leave out?  What are some of your favorite classic family TV shows?

Have a blessed weekend!!

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

From the mouths of babes

So, my son said something so simple yet so profound tonight.

He said, "Sometimes when kids are angry they don't make the smartest choices."

You know what?

Neither do adults.

It is amazing how anger can grow up inside you and take control. Before you even know it, you are doing something so irrational, so unwise and so crazy that you are not even behaving like you anymore.  But it is you. 

Anger can get such a hold that it begins to suffocate all the life out of you.  And then one day, angry is all you know.  You can't remember not being angry.  Anger has become your life; it is in the driver's seat and all you can do is watch its destruction in the rear view mirror. 

Anger clouds your judgement and fumbles your thinking.  Anger changes every color, every landscape, and every relationship.  When you are angry, it is all you see.  Anger makes you say things that you would NEVER say on any normal day.  Anger takes your thoughts and shoves them off the deep end. 

Sometimes when I am angry I don't make the smartest choices.


"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools." Eccl. 7:9

Anger can consume you, and me. 

But there is hope.  There is another consuming force out there.  One that is all powerful, all loving, and all consuming. One that brings not destruction, but life, abundant life. 

"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deut. 4:24

Father, let me strive in every moment to be consumed by You, and You alone.  Amen.

The lifter up of my head

Books on CD are a huge hit around our house, and our car for that matter.  A couple of years ago, we took a trip to San Antonio, about a 6 hour drive.  Before we left, we went to the local library and checked out Molly: An American Girl.  It is about a young girl in small-town America during World War II whose father is a doctor stationed in England.  It was a hit!  I mean huge.  The kids were perfect for the whole six hour trip - it was awesome!!!

We have been listening to them ever since.  There is almost always one on somewhere in the house.  Warrior especially loves them because he can listen while he is building legos, or destroying an enemy army, or his sister's toys.

So, on our trip this weekend we took a couple of sets of CDs.  One of which was Addy: An American Girl.  

Addy is a slave with her mother, father, brother, and baby sister on a plantation in South Carolina (I think).  The books describe how Addy and her mother run away to Pennsylvania after her father and brother are sold to another plantation and the family is reunited in Philadelphia in the end.  It is a really good story and teaches a lot about history.

One part of the story really stood out to me this time.  Addy's brother ran away, was captured, and was beaten severely.  Addy is visibly distraught, sobbing and screaming, but her parents show little to no emotion.  Later on in their cabin as her parents are cleaning her brother's back, Addy accuses her parents of not caring because they showed no physical signs.

According to the story, Addy's father calls her to him, lifts her head, wipes away her tears and says,  "Just because you don't see us crying or carrying on don't mean we don't care. Don't mean we ain't crying either."

It reminded me very much of this passage:

"O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God.
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill.
I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me."
Psalm 3:1-5

Though it may appear at times that the Lord does not see my heartache or care about my suffering, He is the lifter of my head.  He will wipe away every tear.  And according to 1 Peter 5:7, He cares for me.

So, just because I can't see Him crying or carrying on, does not mean He doesn't care.  He cares more than I can ever know.

And when He lifts my head, I see His face.

Oh the glory!

It brings me to tears, of the good kind.

I see His face in the midst of my trouble.

Recap

What a weekend!! 

Friday hubbie, the kids and I loaded into our little matchbox car and headed to south Mississippi - a seven hour drive.  Matchbox cars do not come with video players, at least ours didn't, so we are ever so grateful for libraries that carry books on CD.  Our kiddos did awesome on the trip.  We arrived in Gulfport, MS Friday just in time to join some family for dinner, and then a birthday party on Saturday.  Saturday evening we loaded up again and headed for home, making it back sometime after midnight.

Sunday, after sleeping in as late as our dog would allow, we worked on a side job of hubbie's - building cabinets and what-not in a trailer.  It gets pretty hot and humid inside a trailer in the middle of the afternoon, just in case you were wondering. 

Sunday night was prep time.  Hubbie starts his new job tomorrow - whoooooo-hooooooo!!!!  So, we had to get everyone ready for their day on Monday.

Long weekend. Long day. I'm exhausted.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  1Thess. 5:16-18

Friday Five

Praise the Lord it is Friday!!!!

Another week where I am reminded of why I started Friday Five, and probably a couple more to come.  But then, well then is a whole other story!!!

So, my Friday Five for this week.........

five of my favorite fall/winter desserts!!!!!  I have discovered a love for baking recently and it is wonderful!!!  It is also why I started running for exercise again. :)

1.  Pecan Pie - yum. absolutely yum.  Pecan pie is just delicious, when it is done right.  When it is not, it's still ok, but such wasted potential. 

2.  Pumpkin dump cake.  It's a new favorite for me and I promise it is much tastier than it sounds.  My whole family loves it!!

3.  Pumpkin Pie.  Pretty much anything with pumpkin is a fall favorite for me.  I just love it!!  so yummy and healthy too, though I think the other stuff added to it may not be.  we can't just keep that to ourselves.

4.  Caramel apple cider.  Okay so I first discovered this at a coffee shop, and after about the second time of paying like $4 for one cup, I decided I could make it myself.  And man is it yummy!!!  I know it is more of a drink than a dessert, but after you add the caramel and the whipped cream, it kind of falls into the dessert category.

5.  And finally, Christmas-season 'candy'!!!  My mom always made such delicious sweets during the holidays.  Marthas, Georgia's, gingerbread men, sugar cookies in fun shapes, pecan puffs, and almond bark crunch.  Oh the yummy memories.  And now we have added Oreo balls and cake balls.  ummmmmmm


okay so now that i have made us all hungry, what are some of you favorite seasonal desserts? 

i off to bake something!!!

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

Make it stop!

Okay, so today I am just going to tell you a little story and let you put the pieces together.

Princess has been fighting sinus and allergies the last few days.  At first it was just in her nose and head.  Sneezing and sniffling. You know the drill.  Well, a day or two ago it moved into her throat and chest, so she has been a little croak-y as of late.  It is actually precious when she talks in her little froggy voice, and I am not trying to sound like a horrible mom but I know it is only sinus and allergies so I can say that.  Anyway, early this morning when I checked on her, I decided to put Vick's on her chest to help break up all the congestion.  She hates Vick's. Absolutely hates it.

So, this morning after I put it on her chest, to help her, to bring healing from her sickness, only for her good, she woke up and was not happy. 

She began to cry and fuss and get upset. 

She said, "argh!!! I hate you!!  Make it stop mommy! make it stop!! mommy please!"

And then she went back to sleep, and awoke a little later with a bit of a clearer voice.

But how she fought the method of her healing.

Sometimes, it just hurts.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  2 Cor. 4:16-18

Busy, busy, busy

Is exactly what the next three weeks will be!  To say I am feeling a little overwhelmed is an understatement.  I am feeling COMPLETELY overwhelmed.  But like a friend told me, it's in a good way.  A lot of changes are happening in our lives right now, good changes to be sure, but still busy. 

It seems so crazy, but for the last few months we have purposely stepped away from some things in order to be less busy.  Yet, it seems the more we step away from, the busier we have become.  I know it doesn't make sense, but it is true. 

I think much of our busyness is because of a change in priorities.  Things that used to be so important, are just not anymore.  The Lord is opening our eyes to things that are eternally important, and for those it seems there is never enough time.  But the time is of the Lord as well, and He is showing us more and more of that also. 

Time is a gift, a gift that is not infinite.  It passes far too quickly and before we know it, it's gone.

Ann Voskamp says that the way to slow time down is to live in the moment.  To not live in the past or the future but to be here. Now.

So despite the overwhelming feeling, and the busyness that will be the next few weeks, I will not desire them to speed on by, though they will anyway.  I will see the Lord in every moment.  I will cherish the gift of time He has given.   I will slow down, even if time does not.

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

.....for they shall be comforted.

I wrote a post last week about where I was on September 11,2001.  Hubbie and I were at home, recovering from our first miscarriage.  It was a very trying time for us, and obviously for many.

We stayed home for several days, resting physically and just trying to make it through emotionally.  It was so hard.  The pain in your heart is like a ripping, a tearing away, a very physical pain. The only comfort we found was in the presence of one another.  We knew one another's pain; we shared the same sorrow.  And for a few days we shut ourselves out from the rest of the world.  We received cards and phone calls, and prayers, and words of encouragement.  And food; we got a lot of food.  Too bad neither one of us was very hungry.  We also received some words that, though spoken with good intentions, did nothing but pour salt on our wounds.  Words that pierced; words that cut.  I don't care what the nursery rhyme says, words can hurt you. 

It was a really, really hard time for us; for me.  I had never experienced ANYTHING like this in my entire life.  I had no idea I could feel such internal pain; I never thought it would happen to me.

And spiritually, the battle had just begun.

"My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?" Psalm 22:1

I cried and screamed and moaned to the Lord. Why?  I didn't understand; how could He let this happen? I was a good person.  I did everything right.  I stopped drinking caffeine, I took all the right vitamins, I rested, I did everything I was supposed to do.  And it didn't make one lick of difference.

Girls, and I do mean girls, were having babies, while I lost mine.  People who didn't even care about kids were having multiple, and I couldn't even have one.  Why?

Oh I must have asked that question a thousand times.  Over and over again.

I wanted to know why. I wanted to know the reason.  (I have always had this trait; my parents say it was quite a challenge when I was growing up.)

So, I pursued God.  I figured if anyone knew it would be Him, and I would make Him tell me.  (ok that statement makes me laugh just writing it, but oh how i believed it at the time :))

I sought hard for an answer, any answer. I had to know; I had to find one!

But I never did.

You know what I did find?

Him.

I found God.  the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Through the suffering and through the pain, I discovered a more intimate, tangible relationship with Christ than I could have ever imagined.

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:..."  Jeremiah 29:13-14a

I found comfort.  I found love.  I found One who knew my suffering, who had suffered Himself.  I found the One who could understand my pain, and heal all my wounds.  I found peace.

Because I found Him.

And though I may never know why, and though the ache in my heart may never go away, I know Him and He will never forsake me.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."  

Friday Five

It's that time again - time for Friday Five!!!  This week completely confirmed my reasoning behind starting this series on the blog.  It has been a long one and my brain is mush.

So, without further ado, my random fives for this week are.......... drumroll please............

Five of my favorite David Crowder Band songs!!!  Aren't you excited?  I know I am; I could use some good worship this week.  For those of you who know of the David Crowder Band, what are some of your favorites?  For those of you who don't, enjoy :)

1.  After All

2.  Oh Happiness

3.  You are my Joy

4.  Oh My God

5. Oh How He Loves

ok, there's my five.  Now please understand, these are NOT my only favorites.  This band has soooooooo many great songs that is was really hard to pick just five!! However, the series is entitled 'Friday Five' so, I had to, but these are not alone as my favorites.  Actually, I have yet to hear a song by the David Crowder Band that I didn't like.

Praying you have a blessed Friday!!

"Rejoice always;"  1 Thess. 5:16

A Prayer of Thanks

Abba Father,

Thank you.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to sponsor children through Compassion.  Thank you for how You have used it to teach us that we are not called to sit by the side and do nothing.  You have called us to serve, as Christ set the example.

Thank you for how you are working through the local churches, empowering individuals to break free from the bondage of poverty; poverty of spirit as much as poverty of physical needs.  Thank you for the pastors of the local churches that love and obey You, and love and serve the children, and their families. 

Thank you for the multitudes that have come to faith in Christ through the work of Compassion.  Thank you for how You are changing lives and making things new. 

Father you are so mighty and holy and good, and it is truly amazing to see the work of Your hands. It is so very humbling to be used by You, and  overwhelmingly gracious and merciful at how You are using these children to change our lives as well.


Father these children need to know You, more than they need food or water or an education.  But in Your great mercy, You are revealing Yourself to them through food and water and education.  Only You, Lord. Only You.

Thank you Father. Thank you for your love, to us, in us, and through us.

I love you,
Rebecca

Blessed are those who mourn .........

Where were you September 11, 2001? This is a question asked by many on this very somber day of remembrance.  A day America will never forget.  A day of mourning and sorrow.  A day of tribute and unity.

A day hubbie and I were at home, alone, recovering.  You see, for us, a more relevant question is, where were you September 7, 2001?  Now, please understand what I am about to say.  In no way am I belittling or even comparing our circumstance to those who suffered and lost in the attack on America on 9/11.  I am just relating to you where we were when it occurred, and to do so, some back story is required.

In August of 2001, we learned that after 2 years of marriage we were expecting our first child.  Excited doesn't even begin to describe our emotions over this news.  We were beside ourselves.  I was so overjoyed that I began wearing maternity clothes almost immediately, certain that I was already showing!  We spent hours talking and dreaming about our beautiful child, and all the wonderful times we would share.

So, on September 7, when I began to spot, I was nervous but honestly thought very little of it.

Then I began to hurt, like cramps.

In the doctor's office it felt like time suddenly stood still, as he told us that I was probably having a miscarriage.

Surely not.  Not my baby.  Not my precious child, this child who had stolen my heart.  No, it couldn't be.

We left the doctor's office broken and full of heartache, but clinging to the hope that he was wrong.  He could have been, you know. He wasn't even sure.  So we went home, and rested, and tried so hard to believe.  We prayed like never before, crying out to God to save our child.  To intervene and stop what was happening!!

Then we went to bed.

I remember vividly waking up to the pain, and the blood.  We rushed to the ER, screaming out to the Lord.

Please God! Save our baby!

The ER doctor confirmed our greatest nightmare, and tried his best to bring us whatever comfort could be found.  He was a great doctor, and a dear man.  He would see us through not one but 2 miscarriages, as only the Lord could divine. 

But there was no comfort.  No, not there. Not in the place where I held what was left of my child.  In my hands. Lifeless.

It would be many months before I would find any comfort, and many long talks with my Lord.  But no matter how much time passes, some things are as vivid as the day they happened.

So, where was I on September 11?  I was at home.  Mourning. Grieving.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."  Isaiah 61:3

For the next and final chapter in this story, read http://herewearejamersons.blogspot.com/2012/09/for-they-shall-be-comforted.html .

A listening ear

We took a walk last night, the kids and I.  Around and through the neighborhood, enjoying the wonderful fall-like weather that has come upon us recently.  On our first lap around the neighborhood, Warrior and Princess rode their bicycles, and wore their shades.  For our second lap, however, both kids wanted to run, and that of course meant they, I mean we, would be walking a good deal too. Actually, we walked the entire lap.  You see, Warrior has hurt his foot.  It is not anything serious but nonetheless, he is unable to run until it heals.   So, as Princess ran and skipped and danced ahead of us, Warrior and I walked and talked, and talked.  He can talk your ear off; I think he gets it from his dad :))  hehe!!  He told me all about the story he is writing.  It is quite an adventure, and he can tell you all about it in absolute detail, from the color of the hero's eyes to the sound of the enemy's voice.  Warrior has an amazing imagination, and I pray regularly that the Lord uses it to His glory. 

As we were walking and he was talking, I was reminded of just how very important it is to have a listening ear.  Many times my children just want to know that I have heard them; they just want me to listen.  Even if they do not get their way after they have spoken their peace, they have peace in knowing that I have listened.  For those few precious moments, my attention was centered upon them, and I was listening.  I heard their story, and as a mom I want my kids to know that I listen to them.

In my marriage, sometimes the most healing and peace-making words I can say are, none at all.  When I simply listen to my husband and truly hear his heart, our relationship is strengthened; my heart is drawn closer to his and his to mine.  And believe me it works both ways.  As we all know, outside stresses and frustrations can cause us to react in harsh ways to those we love.  And our anger can have absolutely nothing to do with them, even though it may seem like it.  A listening ear, and not a hasty word, can be a balm to the soul.

Even outside of our spouses and children, a listening ear can be invaluable in showing the love of Christ.  We never know what the clerk at the store is going through.  We don't know the waiter's life, his struggles, his burdens.  We have no idea the trials and hardships faced by the person on the other end of the phone.  They have a story too.

Our church has a ministry where people can come get clothes and food, free of charge.  Hundreds of people from all walks of life, all income levels, all backgrounds, all social circles come to the church and dig through table after table of clothes in hopes of finding what they need.  Many of them are poor, destitute, and broken.  One of the things I have learned through serving with this ministry is that everyone has a story, and most of us just need someone to listen.  We need to know someone hears us.  To know that someone knows our joy or our pain.  We all have a story. 

And there is One who hears.  There is One who knows my pain and my struggles.  He knows my joys and hears my laughter. He hears my cries and holds my tears.  He alone knows my heart, and loves me still. 

Listen.  Be grateful that we have a God that hears us and listens to us, and extend that same grace to someone else. 

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;" James 1:19

To Serve

In church Sunday, the sermon was about being a servant, and about Christ's example in John 13.

" Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.  He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.  The he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple's feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him."  John 13:1-5

I will not write a long commentary about this passage, though there is ample material, but I want to make a couple of points.

First, did you notice that Jesus, the One who knows all things and knows our hearts, washed Judas Iscariot's feet?  Did you get that?  Jesus, the Holy One, washed the feet of the man who was going to betray him.  We have a hard enough time washing the feet of those we like, much less someone who mildly annoys us.  But, the feet of someone we know will betray us?  I mean, it's one thing to offer forgiveness and to do good to someone after they have betrayed you.  Hard, yes.  But, perhaps, not as hard as showing mercy and love to someone before they betray you, knowing that even after your act of mercy they will still betray you.  Yet, Jesus sets the standard, is the example (John 13:15).  He humbles Himself; takes the position of a servant to Judas.  Can you just imagine the scene?  Christ, the Son of God, lowers Himself before Judas, removes his sandals, and washes all the dust and grime from his feet.  Then He takes the towel and dries the feet clean.  The same feet that will carry Judas into the presence of the high priest to trade the life of Christ for 30 pieces.  The same feet that will lead the soldiers and guards to the place in the garden where Jesus prays.  Christ washed Judas' feet.

How?  How could He do that?  How can we do that?  It is not possible.

With God all things are possible, and it is only in Christ that we can.  But that brings me to my second point.  This passage also gives us insight into how He could do it, and how we can too.  Just after we are told of Judas's intent to betray Jesus, we are told in verse 3 that Jesus KNEW that the Father had given all things unto Him, and that He was come from God and was going to God.  Did you catch that?  Jesus knew.  He knew who He was, where He was from, and where He was going.  He knew, no matter what Judas did, that would never change.  He is God's Son, and the Father's plan will be accomplished. He knew.

As can you and I.  Because I know who's I am, and where I am going, and who I am in Christ, I too can humble myself before those who would betray me.  My hope is not in them.  My identity is not in them.  My worth and God's plan are not determined by nor deterred by them.  I can serve because of who I belong to.  I can serve because He served.  "the servant is not greater than his master" John 13:16

Friday Five

I thought it might be fun to do a series here on the 'ole blog.  By the time Friday rolls around, I am pretty much spent.  So, to keep my brain from completely frying and to find joy in the Lord's smallest and seemingly trivial gifts, each Friday will be a list of five points.  These could be totally unrelated, or a list of favorites.  They could be completely silly or somewhat serious.  Just five thoughts to refresh.

This week my Friday Five are some of my favorite black and white movies.  I just love a good movie, and in my opinion, the older ones are some of the best. 

1.  The Philadelphia Story.  This fabulous movie stars Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart in one of the smartest, wittiest takes on some of the heaviest issues of life.

 

2.  Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.  This is a family favorite any time of year.

 

3.  Bringing Up Baby.  Again, we have Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in a hilarious comedy for all ages.

4.  Casablanca.  This is one of hubbie's favorites, and mine as well.  A true classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

5.  This last one was tough because there are so many wonderful black and whites, but I would be remiss if I left out one of the all time greatest comedy dance teams - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  This particular trailer is for the movie Swing Time, but really any Fred and Ginger movie is a winner.

Okay, there are my five for Friday.

How about you?  Any favorite old-time movies?

God is Goooood

In the last couple of days, my husband and I have received an answer to a prayer we have prayed for a long time.  So long that we felt like giving up at times; thinking that the Lord had a different plan and He wasn't sharing it at the moment.  It has been a long road of preparation, sacrifice, and perseverance, and to finally be at the end, well, it's a little surreal.  Almost like the dog who finally catches the car it's been chasing.  What do we do with it now?  It is also humbling; for the Lord is gracious, and abounding in love, overwhelmingly so. 

One of the many things the Lord has taught me during the 'waiting' period is that even then He is gracious and abounding in love.  He is good. Always. When He answers yes to my prayers, and when He answers no.  When He gives, and when He takes away.  His is God, and God is love.  In the midst of the storm or the deafening silence of the doldrums.  Often my perspective of what is good and what is not is skewed by my own sin and iniquity; by my own filthy rags.  But He is righteous and holy and His ways are perfect and His perspective is clear.  Trusting Him is a whole lot easier when I know what He is doing.  But where is the faith in that?  He has broken me and carried me and taught me more than I could have ever imagined in the last few years.  The last few years when I thought I was just 'waiting' He was changing me, conforming me, molding me.  And preparing me for what He has ahead. 

But have I followed the Lord's instruction to redeem the time He gave me?  Have I used the waiting time to grow?  To till, and water, and clean out the weeds, and give nourishment?  Have I redeemed the time He gave me where I was waiting?  To love others, and to share Christ with them?  To show them His way, His love, Him?

I am so thankful to the Lord for the prayer He answered, and for how He has drawn me to Him, for the intimacy with Him, and for the time He has given me now.  I pray I redeem it for His glory.  

Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Just like her mama.

I love being a mom.  Some days are hard and challenging and I have to remind myself that I do indeed love being a mom.  But, then there are those days when you feel it to the very core of your being.  Those days when you rejoice in the simplest things and you feel like you are walking on air. 

It is also very humbling to think on the huge, pivotal, lasting role a mother plays in her children's lives.  It brings me to my knees.  And even more so lately, as I realize each day how much like me my little princess is.  She is absolutely precious (though that is not what makes her like me:)).  And she is stuck on me like glue; doing what I do, watching what I watch, saying what I say.  It is down-right scary!!!  Especially for hubbie who happens to think one of me is quite enough.  I could write a post about how this phenomenon takes me to the Lord more so that I can be someone worth copying, and how she is a great mirror of some issues I need to let the Lord handle, and how I must decrease so that He can increase in her.  But that is not what this post is about.

This post is about baking, specifically apple pie.  Anytime I am in the kitchen, it is almost a guarantee that I will be joined by two individuals.  One is my dog.  She is a smart dog, and she knows that if I am in the kitchen, something yummy is coming out.  The other is Princess.  I love it when she says, "Mom, can I help you?"  We made two apple pies today; one for a neighbor and one for us.  We actually made one for the neighbor last week but it just smelled so good that it never actually made it to the neighbor.  So we decided to bake two this time; just to be safe.  Working in the kitchen with Princess has become one of my favorite activities.  It is such a special time with just us.  She is always asking questions and wanting to learn and do new things.  Many times she even wears an apron, just like her mama.  Because I wear one just like my mama.  I am thankful my mama spent time with me in the kitchen, letting me ask questions and copy her every move.  And I am thankful that she taught me how to be a mama to my Princess in the process.

Seasons

Fall is almost upon us, and I am so excited!! I love fall. I love the smells. I love the colors. I love the crisp air. I love the baking. I really love the baking.  I just really enjoy fall, especially since Christmas follows right behind!!  And yes I am one of those people.  I told Warrior that I was going to make a pumpkin pie the other day, and he said, 'you can't! It's too early.'  I told him I could too, but that he didn't have to eat any if it was too early.  He quickly relented his earlier critique and gave his consent :) 

Seasons of the year are fun, and for the most part pretty easy to deal with.  We know what to expect and about how long it will last.  There really aren't too many surprises.  Seasons of life, however, are another story.  Sometimes we can see them coming and sometimes they hit us like a brick wall.  Some are short while others seem to go on for eternity.  There are seasons of great joy and seasons of gut-wrenching sorrow.   When some seasons end, we grieve; with others, we rejoice.

And there are those transitions from one season to the next that bring both joy and sadness.

I am entering a new season, and though I am sad to see the old pass, I am excited to be a part of what the Lord has in store in the new.  For the last three and a half years I have had the privilege, and it has been a privilege, to teach the college/young adult class at my church.  This has been so much fun; seriously delightful!!!  They have challenged, questioned, searched and dug deep into God's Word and have driven me to do so as well.  They are an amazing group of young people and I love each and every one.  I can not fully put into words how precious they are to me.  It has been a true honor to walk beside them, not just in studying the Scriptures, but in life.  This class has taught me so much about sincerity and transparency and truth.  We have had fun and not-so-fun discussions; we have agreed and we have agreed to disagree.  We have laughed and we have cried.  And most importantly, we have sought Him.

But the seasons are changing, and the Lord has called me elsewhere.  I am excited about this new season.  I will get to teach a much younger class, Warrior's class.  It will be different but I know the Lord has a plan and a purpose.  This is a pivotal age, the preteen years.  An age where truth must be louder than the lies surrounding and bombarding them.  An age of discovery, and for many, an age of decision.   So it is with much prayer and humility that I embark on this new journey.

Despite the season, there are some things I just know, and sometimes, in some seasons, I have to remind myself that I know them.

The Lord is with me always. He never leaves me nor forsakes me.   Heb. 13:5

The Lord is sovereign over all things.  Dan. 2:20-22  Col. 1:16-17

The Lord is good, and He does good.  Ps. 119:68  Rom. 8:28

He is my portion. In Him I am complete and content, whatever the season. Ps.16:5  Col. 2:10   Phil. 4:11-13

I am being conformed to the image of His Son, for His glory.  2Cor. 3:18  Is. 43:7

and finally, Christ Jesus is totally worth it!!  

Phil. 3: 8-12

In Christ,
Rebecca