Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I don't like my kids today. (Gasp. Faint. Heart attack. Yes, I know.)

Encouraging Truth: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he
          loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with
          Christ . . . " - Ephesians 2:4-5a

Loving Instruction: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I
          have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34

          "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It
          does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at
          wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things,
          hopes all things, endures all things." - I Corinthians 13: 4-7

          "Young women [are] to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure,
          working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands . . . " - Titus 2:4b-5a

Our Reward: ". . . that the word of God may not be reviled." - Titus 2:5b

**Let me clarify by saying that I do love my children. I love them unconditionally and I would never harm them or put them in harm's way. But there are days (and I think you know the ones I'm talking about) where they are just not too pleasant to be around. Hormones are making me angry at the world, and that includes my kids just because they, well, they're kids. They're sinners just like me. So when I'm angry at the world and they disobey, throw fits, whine, poop in their freshly changed diapers, and won't eat their supper, I kind of don't like them. Yes, I feel like a horrible mother for thinking this and even more horrible for saying this out loud typing these thoughts, but God has shown me repeatedly that my failures can help others and that just admitting that I have serious problems is encouraging to other women in the same place. Therefore, I will share.**

These days are tough ones, caring for so many tiny people. They are people who need Jesus, just like me. They need love, just like me. Amazingly, God loves us, His children. He loved us even "when we were dead in our  [sin]" and that is how we are to love our children. They are dead in their sin, need Jesus, and need us to love them with Jesus' love. I am convinced that love is both an emotion and a choice. I love my children even when I don't like them (emotion). But when we read in John 13 that it is a commandment to love and then in I Corinthians what love actually is, I have to conclude that love is also a bunch of actions (choice). I have to choose to be patient and kind. I have to choose to bear all things. I also love the idea that God knows what we women need to hear. Right after He states that young women are to love their husbands and children, He states that we need to have self control. Hhhhhmmmm, hormones anyone? I don't know about you, but when I'm having a hormonal day, things just come out of mouth, mostly not-so-good things, without me even thinking about them. That just can't happen! I do not want God's word to be reviled, for my children to grow up without knowing Christ's love. So when I am feeling angry at the world, or when {PMS, pregnancy, post-partum, nursing, fill in the blank} hormones are getting the better of me, I need to remember that love is a commandment and love is multiple actions, all of which point our children to Christ.

Cut-Out Cookies

While this may be a little late for Christmas, you can use the recipe with any shape of cookie cutters, and they will still be amazing. I've tried lots of different cut-out cookie recipes  but had never found one that didn't taste too bland or dry. So I sent out a plea on Facebook and received a few different recipes. After a couple fails (I wonder if I'm just too picky?), we found a winner! Thanks to a friend sharing a family recipe, I now have an amazing cut-out recipe! Soft, fluffy, and not too dry. Sadly I never got a shot of the finished cookies, but trust me when I say they looked and tasted perfect!

Mix to crumbs in mixer:
1 cups Crisco
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt

In a separate bowl, mix together and add to flour mixture:
2 eggs
4 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cups sugar

Chill in covered bowl in refrigerator at least two hours.

Sprinkle counter and rolling pin with flour, roll to desired thickness, and get to work with those cookie cutters. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes. (Don't wait for them to turn brown to take them out - you'll end up with crunchy cookies.) Let cool on the baking sheet a couple minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Confession: I NEVER make icing. I always use Pillsbury vanilla to frost my sugar cookies. Recipes for icing always say "4-6 cups powdered sugar" and I just about pass out when I can't measure something perfectly. And in the past, when I have actually tried, it has never tasted quite as good as Pillsbury. Apparently, they know exactly how much powdered sugar goes into icing, but I guess they're not telling!

Truth for Today

Discouraging (but true) Thought: I am not good enough.

Encouraging Truth: "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for
          those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the
          children of mankind!" - Psalm 31:19

Loving Instruction: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
          made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my
          weaknesses . . . " - II Corinthians 12:9a

Our Reward: ". . . so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - II Corinthians 12:9b

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - II Corinthians 12:10

To say that I have felt overwhelmed in the past few weeks is an understatement. All three kids sick, pregnancy nausea and pains, and the hubby having a surgical procedure done on his toe makes for a very busy lady! So many times after responding incorrectly, I'd yell silently at God "I can't do this! I'm not good enough!". And that was, and is, true - I'm not good enough. Sadly, we women compare ourselves to women on the internet - you know, the people we know but aren't close to as well as the strangers we've stumbled upon thanks to blogs and sites such as Pinterest. These 'picture perfect' lives aren't reality. The pictures are carefully chosen to portray only the good and the beautiful. The stories are eloquently scripted for maximum cuteness and "Aren't I an awesome mom?" effect. (I for one, post almost no pictures of myself in my jammies!) But are we viewing these edited lives as good? In our moments of frustration are we internally yelling "Why can't I have it together like 'so-and-so'?". I am challenging us all to spend the time we would normally use to browse these pages to instead browse The Word. That's true goodness. We're not going to find true goodness in lives of other women. We're going to find it in Christ. I am weak. He is strong.

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - II Peter 1:3-4

Far More Abundantly

We constantly ask God to provide for and bless our family, and it has been amazing to see God work. However, most of the time when we pray for provision, I expect it to come in the way of my husband's paycheck (or my measly paycheck for working a few hours a week from home). Rarely do I pray for miraculous amounts of money to just be sent my way to cover specific things. I'm wondering if I should start doing this, because the one time I did, God answered in an incredible way.  All that to say, God has truly blessed and provided for us these past two weeks more than we could ask or think. It's just too good not to share.

I have three student loans from college. A little over a week ago, I received a call from a loved one randomly asking how much I had left on my smallest one. I gave this person the figure and was told it would be covered. A few days later, there was a check in the mail. God provided.

Several years ago, I discovered reborn dolls (incredibly realistic dolls) and was instantly intrigued by the art. Last week I got the crazy idea in my head that I would like to have two of these dolls waiting at the hospital for our girls when they come to visit their new sibling and myself and the hospital. After seeing prices of $500 - $1,000 and even looking into making them myself, I was about to give up on the idea but posted something about the desire on Facebook. Within a half hour, a friend of a friend (whom I never knew about before that day, but happened to see my status and happens to be a reborn artist) sent me a message asking what I was looking for. I told her my ridiculous idea and the price range I had had in my mind before really looking into the dolls. An hour after hearing this woman's name for the first time, she wrote me to let me know that God laid it on her heart to do something special for my girls and would do two dolls for the amount I had mentioned. God blessed.

I would have never have thought to bring these costs to the Lord in prayer, especially not baby dolls for my children. But we serve an amazing God who loves us and wants to give us good gifts.

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:11

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

T-Shirts

I've seen funny maternity t-shirts, but I think I need one of my own that combines a couple different ones and says:

Yes, they're all mine.

Yes, I'm pregnant again.

Yes, we know what causes it.

Yes, I have my hands full.

Yes, I'm glad it's me and not you, too!

Don't ask me if I'm "getting fixed". Clearly, nothing's broken.

And then I saw this t-shirt and thought after Baby 4 is born, I could modify it slightly to say "I have a newborn and three toddlers . . . "

Kyle's Story

Sometimes it is hard to watch sad stories. Sometimes you'd just rather not. But I encourage you to watch and be uplifted. This family's faith is such a rebuke to my own, but such an encouragement as well. Get a box of tissues.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." - Luke 1:46-47

So Tired

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

- Isaiah 41:10

 

 

We took the other two kids to the pediatrician today and it turns our they are still dealing with lingering effects of the flu and their bad colds have turned into sinus infections for both of them. I had my 16 week check and everything looks good (besides me getting in trouble for losing another pound). I also went to a family doctor and I have bronchitis, too! So all the kids and Mommy are on drugs and hoping to feel better in the next day or two. Praise the Lord, my husband has stayed healthy so far, just being tired from taking care of all of us. As exhausting as this is and has been, God's grace has been abundant. Through facebook and blogging, I have sisters in Christ from all over praying for my family and me. I can feel God's peace in my life, I can see His grace, knowing that He is still good even though I'm feeling so very physically worn down. I know am God's child, part of His family, and He cares for me.

Prayers Needed

This year, the flu involves a week full of high fevers most often accompanied by a bad cold. I know this from talking with lots of people who have had it, and from my kids. Our three year old has the flu and the bad cold. Our two year old has the flu and acute bronchitis. Our 11 month old has the flu and the bad cold. My husband is congested, and I have a low fever and a dry cough today. I'm asking everyone to pray for my husband and myself to have niether the flu nor the bronchitis. With Mike working third shift and me being pregnant (still not having gained back the weight I lost from being so sick in the first trimester), not to mention just taking care of the three munchkins, we really could do without getting so sick. Prayers would be and are greatly appreciated!

Whew!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've taken the time to write my thoughts down for the day! We've had family in for the holidays, sick kids, family matters to deal with, and . . . when did Christmas get so crazy?!? Through it all, I can gladly say that we have seen God working through it all. We were able to enjoy Christmas Day with family while being a family to our neighbor, a sweet sister in Christ. We've seen Christ's love in our family through forgiveness, grace, mercy, and His love evident in our actions. I am so happy to be a child of the King!

One of my favorite Christmas memories this December was using the magnetic nativity to tell the girls the Christmas story. While our just-turned-two-year-old was more interested in running off with the magnets, our just-turned-three-year-old had so much fun! She helped by placing the magnets on the fridge when it was time (or whenever she wanted) and loved saying the lines of the innkeeper and Joseph. However, we think she mixed the two, because she kept yelling "No babies here! Go to the barn!" when it was time for Joseph to knock on the door of the inn.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's celebration. (If you're a stay at home mom like me, you may have woken up at midnight to fireworks wondering what was going on before realizing that other people still have lives . . . ) Well, I hope to get back to more regular blogging now that some of the craziness is over. I can't wait to see what God has for us this coming year!

Christmas Magnets

Coming up with Christmas crafts for girls ages two and three is not easy, but it can be done. I picked up an ornament set at a craft store (super cheap) and just used magnetic strips I already had. Lots of fun was had and a big mess made! (Also, a little brother enjoyed a snack of marker flavored wood resulting in a blue face for a couple of days!) Ok, so I had a lot of fun, too!

Food for Thought

I just posted a random comment on facebook about the song "Mary Did You Know" and it started quite the conversation. I love making myself think about these things that I believe we'll never know the answers to - at least this side of Heaven. So I thought I'd share and see what your thoughts are.

I just made the comment that since having children, I can not listen to the song without crying or at least tearing up. Here are the lyrics: (Have you ever really listened to them?)

   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
   Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
   This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
   Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
   When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

   The blind will see.
   The deaf will hear.
   The dead will live again.
   The lame will leap.
   The dumb will speak
   The praises of The Lamb.

   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
   Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
   Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
   The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

I emphasized the phrases that just knock me off my feet. I have had the blessing of holding three precious babies after delivering them. Each time, I brought them close, kissed them, cradled their face and studied their features like my life depended on it. So overwhelmed by love, in a heartbeat, I meet them and know that I would die for them. I have to assume Mary felt all this, but did she know? Did she know that her precious baby would one day give His life for her? because of her sins? We know from Scripture that Mary knew He was going to be Savior of all. But I have wondered, and came to the conclusion (whether it be right or wrong we will never know) that she did not know of the horrifying death Jesus would suffer. I think (again, clearly speculation) that God would have protected her from such awfulness. I can't imagine it being possible to live day to day life having that burden of information. Anyway, I just find this song so fascinating now that I have gone through the emotional experience of giving birth and falling in love with a newborn baby. If you have thoughts on all this, please share!

Hard Lessons

If you've ever been in a less than ideal situation, you've probably wondered why God just doesn't fix it. This can range from anything to financial struggles to the illness or loss of a loved one. Of course, my head always tells me that He knows what's best and is waiting to give us the best until it's the best time. But sometimes my heart says, no, screams "But you are all powerful, so why can't you just fix it all?". The answer of course, is that He can. So why doesn't He?

I've been going through the Bible study "Missing Pieces" by Jennifer Rothschild. She addressed the above dilemma and answered it this way: "God possesses both ultimate power and ultimate authority. The choice to not exercise power does not mean one is powerless. It means sometimes one who has power chooses to withhold it for a greater purpose." A little later, she addresses her own struggle in accepting God's authority and power regarding her blindness, "I'm fully confident God cares about me and could heal my blindness, but even though He has the power to, He doesn't choose to show it in the way I sometimes hope . . . Does that mean He doesn't care? I think it means He cares enough to allow me to struggle and find a deeper understanding of and connection to His heart. If I plead for His power, then I must accept His authority that comes along with it. His power may be capable of healing my eyes and filling in your missing pieces, but His authority may not deem it best. [We] need to respectfully trust His authority as much as [we] trust His power. For it is the companionship of those two attributes that allows suffering and at the same time disallows punishment for our sin. Unless we take God just as He is in His wholeness, we will never find hope in our own brokenness."

Truth for Today

Clinging to His Word today . . .

"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

- Hebrews 12:2, 3

Christmas Truth

"And there, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son. Mary and Joseph wrapped him up to keep him warm. They made a soft bed of straw and used the animals' feeding trough as his cradle. And they gazed in wonder at God's Great Gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, "Emmanuel" - which means "God has come to live with us." Because, of course, he had."

 

- The Jesus Storybook Bible

by Sally Lloyd-Jones

 

I can't say enough about this children's Bible. While not quite simple enough for a two year old, I'm giving it to my three year old for Christmas. It's the only gift I have yet to wrap - I'm having too much fun reading through it myself! While most children's Bibles tell the stories of the Bible, this Bible relates every story to the gospel, the greatest story of all. It is beautifully written, it is captivating. It's simple elegance has moved me to tears many times. For a last minute gift for a child, Amazon has the best price I've found, a fraction of what some bookstores are asking for it. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355365770&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible. I also can't thank my dear friend Meredith enough for sharing this book with me! Definitely a favorite!

Free Christmas Printable

Daily migraines on top of exhaustion have been a constant for a few weeks now, and I apologize for the lack of posts. I'm praying the headaches end soon because they are certainly no fun with three children who like to run around the house screaming all day! Anyway, just wanted to share with you a free printable for Christmas. Just follow this link to download and print this great 8x10! I printed mine and already have it framed!

Again, this is not my creation, I just found it at http://adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-scripture-word-tree-printable.html