2008 measurements

2 1/2 Inches = the amount my children have grown collectively this year

Leaps and Bounds = the standard by which you can measure their changing look everyday.

Three = the number of teeth Taylor has lost this year!

Ten = the number of pounds they have gained collectively this year.

One = the number of clothing sizes Taylor and Christopher have increased this year.

Three = the number of clothing sizes Samantha has increased this year.

Three = the number of clothing sizes Mommy has dropped this year! (had to throw that one in there-worked hard on that)

One in a million = how I feel that my husband rates in greatness!

Immeasurable = the blessings God has given our family in 2008!

Here is wishing you and yours a Happy New Year! All the best in 2009 and beyond!

Where Oh Where Has the Little Time Gone?

Ok, so we've all heard the saying time flies when you are having fun many times. But, I sit here today, about to go and purchase a birthday gift for my youngest daughter who will turn 2 this coming Monday.

This is flooring me.

I savored each kick and hiccup during every one of my pregnancies.

From the first ultrasound to the moment the baby was born, and the doctor pronounced, "It's a girl," to now, when I am looking at my youngest, my little Sammie-P, running and talking and laughing and making new discoveries each moment as I type this, I can truly say time flies when you are having fun. Each bittersweet moment of this ride has been fun. I am also fully aware that we have only just begun this journey. Since our oldest, Taylor is only seven, I know that there are many joys, trials, ups and downs yet to come. But, as I ask where has the little time gone, I can truly say that I have savored each moment. I can say that I will savor each moment to come. Every hug, every kiss, every afternoon in the back yard playing hide-n-seek, they are all fleeting. They are all precious. As I look backward and forward, I am thankful. I am thankful for each beautiful moment that Earle, Taylor, Christopher and Samantha have brought into my life. I thank God for blessing me with you guys, and I could never ask for anything more.

Pumpkin Carving Fun and Halloween Adventures!

I love carving pumpkins with the family! Taylor is now old enough to punch out the pattern on her pumpkin and she really gets into it, which is really a lot of fun to watch. She likes to see how the pumpkin goes from just a pumpkin to something with a design on it, whether it be a face or a spider, or whatever! See the slide show in this post...

It has been an interesting journey as I think back to my first Halloween as a mom to this latest Halloween. My first Halloween as a mom was spent in the hospital with a one day old, four pound baby in the NICU. I remember my niece, Grace and nephews Jacob and Pierce(They were so young then) coming up to the hospital to visit. They saw Taylor through the NICU window and then came to my room in their costumes. It was very sweet. But, I remember at the time only being able to think about my child in the NICU and my doctor's orders that I was not to get out of the bed. It seemed like I was never going to get to see my baby!

That was seven years ago, but it seems like yesterday. I guess I said all this to say that all suffering is temporary. I look back on that, and while I was going through it, it felt like it would last forever, but two more babies and seven years later, I realize how short a time I really went through any difficulty, and how in spite of my physical and emotional trauma, I could feel the joy of having my first child. God blessed our family with a beautiful baby. She is happy and healthy, and, along with our other two children, is the joy of our life.

Album Review-Resurrection Letters, Vol. 2

File this album under "haven't found one like it in a long time," in my worship music library!

With richly layered acoustic sounds and mellow vocals, Andrew Peterson's newly released Resurrection Letters, Vol. 2 will not let you down musically.

But, where this album really excels is in its rich lyrical content. There is beautiful imagery used in every song. Theologically, this album does not disappoint. From the first chord strummed in "All Things New," to the Celtic hymn feel of "Have Your Way," Andrew Peterson takes you on a journey and allows you to sense the depth of his relationship with God through his music, which blesses and inspires.

I would recommend this album for anyone looking for a lyrically and theologically deep worship experience. Sit back, and enjoy the tears and the blessings as they come flowing, and they will.

Can't Get It Right?

How mony times have you traed something and fiiled at it?..

How many times have you triad soemting and failed at it?...

How many tomes have you tried something and felled at it?...

How many times have you tried something and failed at it?...

Well, looks like three before I got it right in the above example, but I have numerous examples that I am still failing miserably at. It seems that I just can't get it right. I keep trying and trying, kind of like the little engine that could, but...I can't, not in my strength anyway.

So, I guess if I would let go of certain things and put them under God's control, I could get it right, right?

The problem must be that I don't want to get it right, that at the heart of the matter with certain things that I struggle with is my inability to surrender FULL and total control. Yet, I know that when I do this, I WILL get it right. What could I possibly be waiting for?

I think the reason it is so hard for us to surrender control is because we have not fully comprehended how big and wonderful and holy God is, and how small, evil, sinful and depraved we are. Our pride controls us to the point that we have an inflated view of self next to God. (I might be only speaking for myself here)

So, I submit that I can get it right and you can get it right...with God's direction.

James 4: 6-10
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

In a recent forum, I was asked why I believed in God.

The basic point of this forum was that Christianity is a polytheistic religion and that Christians worship four gods, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible.

I stated that I believed what the bible said, that it is a book that was written over thousands of years, by tax collectors, doctors, fishermen, kings, rich and poor, in times of plenty and famine, war and peace and that I think it is the inspired, inerrant word of God, but that I do not base my belief in God solely on the Bible, nor do I worship the book itself.

I stated that God is real and that I believe in Him. This is where I was attacked. The gentlemen with whom I was discussing these matters stated that it was stupid that I could say in one breath that God was real, and then state in the next sentence that I believed in Him.

I wrote back to him that the air is real and I believe in it as well. I went on in my post to list the evidence in my life that supported my belief in God.

This drew another attack from a woman. She stated that this is a horrible analogy as air can have its existence proven by scientific tests, and that God cannot have His existence proven.

Well, I simply believe He can. I think the evidence of His work in my life is proof enough to me of His existence. I believe the evidence of His work in the lives of people I know is proof enough of His existence. Rocket science it isn't, but it is faith. I choose to believe it. There is just too much there for it not to be true.

So, I will keep on believing. I don't need a scientific experiment to prove God's existence to me. All I need is His love. All I need is His forgiveness. I know I have those.

Have you ever wondered why reality shows are so popular?
I have watched a few and I still wonder, "why are reality shows so popular?"
I can't imagine that they are "reality." I mean, do people behave in their everyday lives in the manner that they act on these "reality" shows?


I think getting a camera in the room with someone all the time really changes their personality and their behavior. I could be totally wrong about this, I don't know these people at all, but that's just it, how do I know what reality is in these situations?


When we get in social situations, whether it be parties, or church, bible studies, or other situations where we are in a group of people, how does our personality change? What is reality? Are we the same person in these situations that we are at home when no one else is around? Or, do we put on a smile, even when we are not happy? Do we exchange pleasantries when we would rather cry to someone? Are we real about our feelings when others have hurt us? Are we broken and sorry when we have hurt others?


How about this, when someone gets real with us, how do we react? Are we judge, jury and executioner, putting any chance of a healthy relationship with that person to death before it has a chance to begin?


I submit that if we think about the fact that God is in the room, and He knows us, when we are being real and when we are not, we will start being more honest, more intimate and more loving and forgiving with each other.


That is one cool reality that I would love to see!


Read Psalm 139

What Moves Us

What moves you? Is it music, or good drama? Is it poetry?
Are you moved by a good story? Do books inspire you?

I am inspired by all of these things. I think many people are like me in their reaction to a good song, a moving drama, a stirring poem, a good story, or a book that sweeps you into another place or makes you think.

But, what moves us into action? What turns inspiration into movement? What moves us enough to put aside our own needs, desires, schedules, pedicures, or whatever for a few days or even one day, one hour?

Well, for me, it's the voice of my children. When they call me, I am there, as any mother would be. "Mommy, can we play playdoh?" Of course, I'm going to get the playdoh down and make red spaghetti, yellow worms, green snails and whatever else we come up with. (I think Playdoh is a wonderful invention) "Mommy, can we read a book?" Sure we're going to read any book they pick, probably three times, happily! This is as it should be unless it is a bedtime stall tactic.

But, is there another voice we should respond to? Does God call us into action? When there is a need, are we there? Should we do SOMETHING, even if it is the smallest thing? This does not mean putting family second. But, I also do not feel that we can hide behind, "family first," as an excuse not to do ANYTHING to help others in need. What is it today that has brought us to the point that we use our family to excuse ourselves from service? What are we teaching our children? If my child sees me never helping, never serving, what will his or her feeling about service be? So, are we really putting family first when we never inconvenience ourselves a little bit in the name of service? God calls us to serve. That is part of our job as Christians.

In Mark chapter 3, Jesus was teaching and his mother and brothers came. There was a crowd so they could not get in. Someone said to Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside and wish to have a word with you." In verses 33-34, Jesus said, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers."

Jesus did not drop what He was doing in service to God to go to His earthly family. There has to be a balance. Jesus had this balance, and I think as Christians, we should too.

If everyone just stepped up to do SOMETHING, even something small, then the world would be radically changed for God. Our children would learn that there are people in need and that we can help by our example and not by our lip service. They would see that being a true friend and servant means setting aside what you had planned for the day and stepping up to meet the needs of others, no matter how small a contribution of time you might be able to make.

What Our Children See

Last night, at our Summer Music and Arts Camp at our church, my daughter's group learned a song entitled, "There is No One in the World Like Jesus."

The director told us that when the song was over, my daughter, Taylor said, "My daddy's like Jesus."

When I asked her later why she said her daddy was like Jesus, she said, "because he has a beard and because he's nice and 'cause he says 'I love you'."

This struck me because of how important it is that we can model Christ in our lives for our children. They can see Jesus in us, and understand that we are striving to be more like Him in our hearts and our actions. We teach our children by our actions everyday where our hearts are and who we are like. Our daughter has decided that her daddy is like Jesus.

I am so thankful that my husband models Christ-like behavior for our daughter. I am thankful to have a godly head for my family. I love him with all my heart and I thank God for him and his leadership of our family. This is priceless

Beach Day

This was a very happy day at the beach!

I can truly say that my job as a mom is a walk in the park , and a day at the beach!

Reliance

Sometimes our resources are greater than others.

I think all would agree that time, energy, and money are resources that make our lives much more comfortable. When these resources are plentiful, our tendency is to rely less on God and more on our own strength. We also tend to boast in our own abilities when these resources are up. We are comfortable in our holding pattern.

But, what happens when these resources decrease? What happens when our time is little and our responsibility is much? What happens when our energy is low and the demand on our body is much? What happens when the bank account is almost to zero, we need diapers for two kids and payday is a week away?

Is it only at these times when we rely on God? Is it only at these times when we truly lean on Him? Are we at cruising altitude when everything is in balance only to lean on Him when things get out of whack?

I know there are times in my life when my resources are plenty. I also know there are times when my resources are few. I want to rely heavily no matter the weight of my resources. My own strength is NEVER great enough!

"Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

Paradox

I find it amazingly freeing as life goes on that things in my behavior I would have justified to myself a few months ago I now see my depravity in and feeled grieved about.

One would think it would feel oppresive to feel depraved in your sin, but it is quite liberating to see your depravity in light of God's holiness. It removes all doubt about the rightness or wrongness of what you are doing or thinking. For anyone who is now thinking, "What in the world are you talking about?", let me give you an example.

Tuesday night, we had our last softball game of the season. I thought the other team cheated by skipping one of their worst batters when there were two outs on the board, the bases were loaded and one of their heavy hitters were up to bat after the batter they skipped. The heavy hitter nailed one to the fence, giving our opponents a four run lead. This allowed the other team momentum that we just never recovered from.

How did this make me depraved? I stayed to watch the team that beat us play the next play-off game for the title against the number one team. I proceeded to have a negative attitude about both teams. I could not be happy for either one of them. I did not want either team to win and could not feel good about a victory for either team because I did not feel either team deserved it. The thing that is so sad about my behavior here is that I don't know for sure that the other team skipped that batter on purpose. I just wanted to win so badly that I wanted them to have cheated so I could feel better about losing. So, I can go on justifying my lack of support for either of those teams, or I can say that I should have genuinely supported one of them or both of them in Christian love. I mean, even if they did cheat, that is not for me to sort out. I am only responsible for my reaction to it.

The thing that is liberating in all of this is that the next time this happens, I will be one step closer. I will be able to recognize it for what it is. The bible teaches where pure thoughts come from and how to recognize them. James 3:14-But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, or the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17-But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

So, being able to recognize when my thoughts are depraved is very liberating, indeed, especially having been given such a perfect plan for redemption.

A humbling Experience

Just back from a trip to New York City to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time and saw and did many awesome things. That city is really electric. I can see why they call it, "the city that never sleeps."

I would highly recommend getting away for a weekend with your hubby even if it's just overnight at a hotel in town. It is really good for the soul.

One thing that struck me while I was in the city was the sheer number of people that were in that small amount of space. I have known for a long time that there are billions of people in the world, but it never really hit me how many people that really is until I saw so many people in one place.

It is really humbling to think about how small I am to the world, but how important I am to God. I am amazed by that everyday and I am even more amazed by it now.

The other thing that was really cool was to look and take in the creativity with which God creates us. No two alike! In six billion people. I'm not even counting those who have gone before. I am just awed by that.

Anyway, I guess in this rambling I am trying to say, embrace what you are, love who you are. The most creative of artists sculpted you. The only changes or creative licenses any of us should make are the ones that transform us more into the likeness of the masterpiece Himself, Jesus.

That's Not Fair

As a mom, I hear the phrase, "that's not fair," quite a bit. I expect it from my children. They are, in fact, children. A six year old, a three year old and a 16 month old can be excused for uttering this phrase on a regular basis.

It is when that phrase comes out of my mouth that I start to get a little concerned...(Believe me, it comes out of my mouth more than I would like to admit!)

I love the wisdom that God gave Solomon on this subject though!

The book of Ecclesiastes is where I have been hanging my hat lately. There are some jewels in there. One such jewel that hit me this morning was in Ecclesiastes 8. This passage is so relevant!

The Wicked and the Righteous

9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. 10 I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised[a] in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless. 11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!

15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

All you have to do is look in the newspaper to see this passage happening everyday. Bad things are happening to good people while bad people seem to prosper all around us.

But I love what Solomon says here. Notice it, he says this is meaningless. It is meaningless. I think he is saying to stop worrying about all this, and just enjoy what God has given you. Stop worrying about whether or not He is punishing others or not. God is just! Live your life, do what you should. Enjoy your family! Love what you do. And, whatever, you do, do it all with gusto!

We are all really bad people if you think about it. None of us really deserve the good things that happen to us. None of us deserves the grace that has been extended to us. We are all just bad people who have been redeemed. New life is a gift that has been given all bad people who ask for it!

Anyway, just a thought!

Grace and peace from one redeemed bad girl who has decided that life is more than fair!

Sometimes Mom just needs a couple of hours with the girls to laugh.

Sometimes Mom just needs a couple of hours to herself.

Sometimes Mom just needs a few words of encouragement.

Sometimes, Mom just needs...

the number for Merry Maids. I could sure use some girl time with them right now as I am going to spend today Spring cleaning.

Bet you thought I was going to come out with some philosophical poetic gem didn't you?

Sorry to disappoint! :-)

To everyone Spring Cleaning today...God bless and God speed!

Spring Break

Ok, Spring Break was a blast. We went to the Edventure Museum and the kids had a great time.

Evidence below...

Ok, I'm Listening!

There are times when I find it quite difficult to get my children's attention. The reasons for this are numerous. They can be involved in serious play. (Taylor has such an imagination that I sometimes think she has actually been immersed in the land that she has dreamed up.) They could just not hear me. You know sometimes if they are into a movie or a Leapster game or something like that, they can't hear me speaking to them. Then sometimes they are just plain refusing to listen or ignoring me. This last one is really frustrating to any parent. When you love someone so deeply and know what's best for them, you want them to listen to you because you know that so much heartache can be avoided if they would just listen.

It might interest you to know that I am not and never have been the greatest listener either. (This probably doesn't surprise you at all if you are my mother reading this right now.)

Lately, I think God has been trying to get my attention in a particular situation in my life, and I have been the distracted, stubborn child.

Can you imagine it? God as the mother. First in a normal voice, "Julie, stop that now. I want you to do this." At first, I am just going along so intently that I can't hear Him. Then, a little louder, "Julie, you really need to stop that now. Don't you see that is not what I want for you? Go this way." But, I just keep plodding uphill on the wrong path, totally immersed in the world that I have dreamed up for myself. Finally, through the counsel of godly friends, scripture and a message that I heard on the radio this morning, "JULIE, I AM TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. YOU ARE POURING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY INTO THINGS THAT ARE NOT WHAT I HAVE IN MIND FOR YOU. PLEASE FOCUS ON THIS INSTEAD. I KNOW WHAT'S BEST."

ooooooooook. I'm listening. Sometimes, like me with my children, God just has to put both of His hands on the sides of my face, turn me gently to Him and make me understand what He is saying to me.

So, there you have it. Sometimes, you can save a lot of heartache, wasted time and energy if you would listen to the small voice rather than waiting for the big one. LESSON LEARNED.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

Easter 2008