Little People an' Attitude

 Patience            

                                                                      Dress up

Jodi

                                                     Best cheeseball faces :)

 Dakota

                                                                               Wrestling with BRock

These three little people came and stayed with us at the beginning of February. Jodi was my assigned charge for the week. Because of their background, we had little idea of what to expect. Therefore, I put my life on hold for a week. Only going to class and work, the rest of my time was devoted to Jodi and her siblings. I can't remember the last time I played so many games and I forgot how exhausting that can be! Of course there were some challenges to work through, like establishing who is in charge. . . . But uh . . . turns out I was the one with the attitude!!!

I went into the week with a backwards mindset. Get through the week, help mom with the kids, and then I can carry on with my life. Satan had a heyday with that foothold. Being woken up in the middle of the night to fix a bloody nose, to pray after a bad dream, and to take a mid-night bathroom run - then getting up as soon as she did . . . it didn't take long before I was exhausted! They are great kids but I was tired, feeling overworked, and thinking "This is not what I signed up for -somehow I gained a six year old daughter!" At the end of the week mom and dad were throwing around the idea of them staying another week. SERIOUSLY!!! Um, I am home everyday with these kids while Maddy and Syd are at school. I'm exhausted, super behind on chores, my life is on hold, and never get alone time cause they don't play by themselves! See the attitude :(

But the Lord knows what's up!!! That second week was the greatest thing ever. I knew if I was going to do another week my mindset/attitude had to change. Week two they/she became a part of the family not just a responsibility. I was able to do more intentional investing rather than simply playing games to pass the time. She became almost a little sister/daughter to me and I could see a long-term something. I miss that little goofball!! They should be back in April and I am so excited. Feel free to pray as we seek out God's plan for our long-term involvement in their lives.

Freedom in Christ

      I was talking to mom the other day and completely had this revelation.
 There is Freedom in Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Who knew? Not me, at least I don't live like I did.
      Recently, I have felt very frustrated. Like I have gotten this good-Christian-girl-act thing down to the T, but I am just going through the motions...without much joy, feeling trapped in my life. Turns out most , if not all, of that frustration is my own fault. I have made up all these rules that I am holding myself to. I am waiting for someone to tell me what job to get next summer/year. Sometimes God gives us permission to straight up decide. People have told me that but I was never ready for it, it didn't fit with all my rules.
      So I am not saying I'm going to turn into a wild-child (Brock said I would make a lousy wild-child anyway :) ) but I don't wanna be my own limiting factor! I don't want to live by my rules; I wanna live by His!!

A Cold Conviction

        Well, I stayed up too late two nights ago watching a movie. I didn't sleep well because I am sick, but didn't wake up till 12.30pm. I felt horrible! I texted mom that colds used to be no big deal, but now they feel like death in my head. I also made some complaining comment (lighthearted but still....) on Fbook.
        Within an hour, I was convicted. Christ died for my sin, and I'm making a cold my biggest concern of the day and going to complain about it? I think not!
        And comparing it to death? really? I was reminded of a story I heard where this girl described seeing Jesus. The holes in His hands and feet yes, but the gashes in His back. She mentioned how you don't really heal from those. They aren't striped scars but barely healed over gashes. - That was His death and I compared my little cold to that.
        I had a very rude awakening yesterday afternoon, oh the stupid things I say without thinking. 

The Blog Challenge

       After reading someone's update letter, I was challenged that I don't share what God is doing. I don't update the people that invest in me. That poem was the result of my conversation with myself and God about starting a blog/newsletter.
      Through writing these posts and being forced to rethink parts of my life....I realize how much God is doing that I would normally quickly forget or ignore. When I update others, I am reminding myself...Funny how that works. :)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Google images

Communication is Overrated

Communication is overrated
    Or so I thought
Sister keeps telling me
    It isn't ALL for naught

But where is the joy
    In writing things down
In spreading your news
    ALL around town

But what if that . . .
    Isn't the point at all
What if I am just
    Totally missin' the ball

What about deny yourself daily
    And take up you cross
Share what He is doing
    How he transposed your loss

Share the joys and the hurts
    The excitement and trials
Don't just stash it away
    Keep them in brain files

The Lord's up to something
    Speak up and share
Those people around you
    See they really do care

OK we have been convinced
    I'll give this thing a shot
Do however keep in mind
    That consistent be, this is not