God a Genie?

Below is part of my devotions from this morning. I often write so my thoughts will stay focused. I am putting it down for you to see. I don't know why, I just feel that I should. I don't like bearing my soul because that would leave it out there for others to tread on. But, I'm doing it anyway so here you go...

I often find myself treating God like a genie. I don't desire to do that but often find myself doing so. We have a lot of things going on in order to get over to Ireland at the beginning of August, including raising support by the end of June and selling a house. I find myself falling into old habits of trying to please God in order to find His favor so that he will work the way I want in my timing. Deep down my heart just simply desires to please God but that natural desire can quickly become twisted into manipulation. Thank God He can see this better than I can and will not be manipulated. I have to constantly remind myself that other than through the redeeming blood of Christ, my works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). When God sees me He only finds favor in me through the covering of His son's blood that covers my sins. Through this covering my Father sees me as beautiful. Nothing I do will ever make God love me more or less than He does now.

I am overwhelmed at the task before us. I have to remind myself that it is God that called us to His work and therefore it is His responsibility that He provides for us. We just have to be obedient to His calling. I have to rely on Him and trust Him so that I can have peace(Isaiah 26:3)...so that my life can glorify Him. Deep down that is my desire. I don't know how or when He will move, but I trust that His plan is better than mine. I praise God in advance for the work He is going to do in the perfect way He always does.

Lord, have your way in my life. Let it not be my will but Yours. Show me what you would have me to do today. Help me to die to myself. Whatever it is You want me to do, my answer is Yes. Help me to obey your will. I believe in You, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Cagle's Dairy

We are so excited. We as a family are going to Spring Farm Days this weekend at Cagle's Dairy. They are having the Dixie Master Cup Stock Dog Trials (right up my alley), along with arts, crafts and exhibitions. Something new that Cagle's is doing that I just love is home delivery of their dairy products to homes within a 5 mile radius of the farm. We live farther than that but what a cool idea. When we lived in NY as a child I vaguely remember the milk man coming and delivering milk in glass jars. Oh what a great memory. I am excited as to what God has waiting for our children's memories in Ireland. What memories even through the small things are you creating for your children that you may not even realize?

Dealing with Anger

Have you ever been spending time with the Lord, reading your Bible or a devotional book and it is so amazing that what you are reading is exactly what you are struggling with? Well this week we have been working with Griffin on how to properly deal with anger. Lo and behold, that is what his devotions were on this morning. It is even cooler when you see God work in your child's devotional life and in God's perfect timing. I do not know what I am doing as a mom half the time and I was just praising God that He gives us the right resources and the right people around us in the right timing. And He did it again. How absolutely amazing He is. I confess I have no idea how to deal with anger properly other than stuff it-which is not good, so how am I supposed to teach my child? Well he showed me during a playdate with my accountability partner when she had to work with her own child on it. He brought up this devotion today that walked us through it and he gave me my mentor mom, Suzanne Miller that I had to call on Tuesday when I did not know how to properly respond to Griffin's anger and it was making me angry. Praise God for His provision and perfect timing.

Squirrel at the Door

This morning, Griffin and I were eating breakfast and we kept hearing a tap tap tap. We looked out the back door and there was a squirrel tapping on our window trying to get in. It kept on for a minute or two but when I moved to get the camera it ran away. Griffin and I found this picture instead.

Parenting -I am trying to learn.

"We are not raising children. We are raising adults." -Suzanne Miller.

Suzanne is a wonderful mentor mom for our MomCare group that meets on Wednesday nights. She is a great example of a Proverbs 31 woman and the Lord has used her to bless my life. She has taught me many things but one thing that will stick in my mind forever and that I will be forever grateful for the perspective it gives is the quote above. When my child/ren roll their eyes at me, throw fits or do anything else that their sin nature causes I approach it as: is it acceptable for them to do this as adults. When they don't get their way at the office as an adult would it be better for them to talk back disrespectfully as adults or use their minds and words to express themselves for a better outcome. The Bible teaches us to die to ourselves, our fleshly desires and to put on the mind of Christ, to be equipped for battle and to do His will (paraphrasing and putting parts together). What better time to learn now while their minds are able to be molded and before it is too late. They may not understand all of these truths now, but it is better to start explaining it now so it can sink into their hearts before their hearts are too hardened and set in their ways to accept it. It is our job as parents to teach God's ways. Jesus has a plan for us as parents. A lot of our homelife depends on us and has an effect on eternity. Anyone can be a good Christian at church, but do we model being a biblical Christian through our actions at home when little eyes are watching and learning most?

Disney!!!!

We just came back from Disney. This is the first time we have been there as a family. I went as a kid and also when I was a teenager. Ludie went to Epcot for a Horticulture trip in college, and now we are back with kids. I think I was the biggest kid of all. It was wonderful to go to the Peter Pan ride and the Small World ride. It brought back so many memories. I was so excited I think I may have had more fun that Griffin!!!!
Griffin's favorite ride was Space Mountain. He also road Everest at Animal Kingdom. He won't admit he was scared, he just says calmly, "I'll ride that again when I turn 18". I was scarred-I'll be the first to admit it. And I loved it!!!! Ludie liked the safari at Animal Kingdom and the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney the best. Ruth Anne slept through a lot of the rides. She did GREAT!!!! I was excited to see Sully and Mike Kryzowski and go on the laugh floor.
We all took a test to see which Disney character we were most like. Griffin was Buzz Lightyear. I was Belle and Ludie was Tarzan. OH YEAH baby! :)
We met up with Ludie's sister and family which was wonderful. We did the kid swap on rides so that we could actually ride rides as a couple.

Ruth Anne Dedication

We dedicated Ruth Anne at the beginning of May. It was such a blessing for a moment that we had prayed for the opportunity to have another child for so long. What a blessing it was for big brother to walk across with us to dedicate his little sister. She is such a long awaited blessing as both of our children are. Thank you to those who stood with us and will be a part of her life in teaching her about the love of Jesus and praying for her. For praying that she accept Christ at young age as her Lord and Savior and have a life of unabandoned passion for Jesus. Praise to God alone!