Things that weigh heavy

Here we are the first day of December. . . where has this year gone? It seems the older I get the faster the years go by. Before you know it Christmas will have come and gone and we will welcome in 2010. Thoughts of the past have been on my mind recently. There are some things that I would change and then others that I would do the same way. But reality is that I can't turn back time I can only learn from the mistakes and cherish the memories and try to pass along the things I've learned to my children. Right now, the things I am trying to teach and pass on to them may seem unimportant, but I know that the day is coming that they will look back and say, "She was right, she wasn't crazy after all."

During the Thanksgiving holidays this year I missed my extended family more than I have in past years. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed cooking and spending time with the kids but I truly missed being with my dad, brothers, sister and their families. It's been too long since we were all together. David mentioned the other day that he kept hearing people talking about how many people would be at their house for Thanksgiving and how they love it, but he had never experienced it. It made me think about how much they have missed out on living so far from the rest of our family and it made me appreciate the sense of closeness I had growing up with family.

I read tonight about a man that came from a broken home. Like my children, he didn't have a father in the home, and his home had abuse, turmoil and fighting. So often we read stories where children from broken homes continue the cycle generation after generation. But this story ended differently, that young man surrendered his life to Christ and today he has a family of his own. Praise God the cycle of family destruction was changed into a life of love, happiness and forgiveness in his life.

I cannot argue that divorce takes it toil on our children. I often worry that my children, as adults, will go through divorce or bitterness because of them coming from a broken home. Some days are tougher than others, but through prayer I get through those days and trust that God will do the same work in their hearts that he did in mine. The toughest of days is when I see myself in the two of them and the instant reaction is to protect them from making the mistakes that I made. But I'm coming to realize that they too have to learn just as I did. God has given them into my care to guide, direct, teach and protect but ultimately He is in control. I continue to show them love, set boundaries, and discipline,and all the while commit them to the Father who is much more capable of parenting than I will ever be. In the end they, like their mother, will have some bumps, bruises and even some scars to remind them of the choices they made, but I above all I pray they will turn out to be a man and a woman that glorifies the Father.

Lead me to the Cross

Liz and I enjoyed trekking through the woods at Highlands Hammock State Park this afternoon. We enjoyed conversation and just enjoying God's beautiful creation. Liz is such a blessing in my life. I'm blessed to have a sweet, humble and encouraging sister in Christ in my life. I always feel blessed after spending a day with her. No wonder God tells us in the Word, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." We need the fellowship of other believers to encourage us, to engage us to think deep on the riches of Christ. Liz is one I can count on to lead me to the cross.

Babies Galore & Women's Ministry

We have hosted 3 baby showers in the last month at church. Our nursery will be overflowing with babies by January. Two of the three (Emsley Kate and Jesuah Emmanuel) have entered this world. We are anxiously awaiting the birth of Clayton in December. These babies are truly a gift from God.




Tonight we held our second women's ministry outreach. This month we prepared fruit baskets (with other goodies) for our members that are either in the nursing home or are not able to attend church due to their health. We prepared 11 baskets and they will delivered by the Tuesday morning prayer group next week. After we prepared the baskets several of the ladies went out to dinner. It was so much fun laughing with these ladies and getting to know them better.

An Outburst of Faith and Patience

"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and
patience inherit what has been promised." Hebrews 6:12

It is no accident that you find yourself in the season you are in your walk of faith. Have a fresh outburst of faith and patience. Allow God to do His thing! God is not inactive in your life. "For my Father is always at his work to this very day and I, too, am working."

Two More

Another Saturday. . . two more walls! Three more walls and one more room to go!

"When you are in the midst of a test-trial-suffering, God is holding up a mirror to your inner heart and the reflection He hopes to see is Himself. Who is in the mirror? Yourself or God?"

The Broken Pieces

I love the stained glass windows at our church and the way the Florida sunlight shines through them. I had taken this picture months ago and had forgotten about it until I saw a friend's post on Facebook tonight. The next time I look at a stained glass window I know this statement will come to mind. . .

God will use our brokenness like broken pieces of glass. . . putting them together into the most beautiful stained-glass window that He will shine through!!

Forging Ahead

We have continued to spend the major part of our weekends painting. We have two more rooms to go and there seems to be an end in a sight. The living and kitchen walls have been completed and once they are painted we can put the paint brushes and rollers away.