Fear Factor

No, not the TV show (not a fan of that show....ewww!)   The thing that holds me back way too often. The thing that can unexpectedly paralyzes me out of the blue.   The thing that is mentioned  to "do not" 365 times in the Bible (one for each day).  The thing I hate, hate, hate.


The thing?


Fear.


I stumbled across a precious blog last week called Unveiled Wife.  I love how the blog's goal is to encourage wives in their marriage while always pointing us to Christ.  There are many neat things on the blog from "Surprise Date Night" Challenges to prayers.


Ten years ago, I went through a horrible battle with panic attacks.  Unless you have ever experienced one, you have no idea how horrible they are.   In an effort to keep this short,  The Lord delivered from that time in my life.  I  will be honest and admit there are still times when fear, "what if...", or worse case scenarios rear their ugly head and try hinder me.  It is only through God's faithfulness to me, His Word and much prayer that I can walk in victory from fear when it shows up uninvited to visit me.


 Sunday's post on Unveiled Wife's blog was a prayer that spoke to my heart.  I have decided to print it and tape it in my prayer journal because I want this to be my prayer for 2012.  

God,

We run to you today!  We lift up all of our fears and ask that you help us not to be afraid anymore.  Help us to trust you more with our lives, with our families, with our finances, with our everything.  Sometimes worry will cause so much stress we become paralyzed, fear cripples our ability to thrive, and our joy is stolen from us.  Please help us to be stronger.  Fill us with confidence and an unwavering faith.  No matter what may come our way, no matter what the unknown holds for us, please help us to remain confident in you!  May we not only overcome fears, but encourage others to overcome theirs, and that we testify that because of you we no longer fear.  Thank you for being our strength, our provider, our everything!  We love you Lord! AMEN

I Stand Amazed

This past week has been one of celebration.  Our family traveled to visit our new grand-daughter, Little Miss Zoey.  Of course, love at first sight. 

 My heart about exploded with grand-ma love when I asked Miss Jaelynn if I could hold the baby and she shook her head "no".  After a while of coaxing, I held Zoey to which Jaelynn responded by putting her hands in the air and saying, "MiMi!".  She wanted my undivided attention.  Made my heart melt.

(Jae is not sure about Mimi holding the baby......)

I never knew two little girls could rock my world so much.

(Big sister and baby "WuWu"...how Jaelynn says Zoey)

Or that my heart could have enough love it in for ALL my girls!!

Also hard for my mother's heart to believe that my baby is 19.  Just yesterday she seemed as small as Zoey

Auntie Jo and Baby Zo

Tuesday was my birthday and while visiting with my girls on Monday night, Amanda and Jaelynn surprised me with a birthday cake, and of course, we had icecream! 

(Amanda doesn't even look or act like she just had a baby.   She even drove to the store two hours after being discharged from the hospital to get my cake!  She is Superwoman!  )

  Jaelynn helped me pick the frosting flowers off with her fingers.

Last year Jaelynn lived far away but sent me a picture for my birthday,  This year I was able to celebrate with them in person.

(Looks like Jaelynn is signing "thank you".  I can't take credit for that..I think she was being silly.)

It is simply amazing what can happen in a year.  So much can change.  Loved ones pass away and new ones are born.  Nothing is the same.  Yet, as I think back to all that happened in 2011, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  A dear friend and I were chatting on Facebook last night and she put it perfectly, "I cry all the way home--just thanking Jesus for his grace and all he saved me from, not just eternally, but in this life, because I don't deserve his salvation, yet, I have it! "

Here's to another year.  I pray my heart will be filled with gratitude for all He has done and all He will do.

Happy Birthday Jesus (and Zoey!)

Welcome to the world, our little Christmas Blessing!


Our second granddaughter, Zoey Maria Rivera was born at 2:15am on December 25th.  Mom and baby are doing fine.  (big sister and Daddy are doing great too!!)

  

Santa's not the only one arriving......Day 23

Day 23 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

Oh my goodness!!  I just received a phone call from my daughter, Amanda.  Her water just broke.  She is on the way to the hospital.  A Christmas baby!  (we are hoping the baby will be born before midnight as today is Memaw Burton's birthday.)


Praying for Amanda and for Baby Zoey's arrival.  


I am ever so thankful!


(My youngest daughter took these pictures of Amanda over Thanksgiving.  I jokingly told Jordyn she is a photographer prophet!  Loved the lighting (natural light not edited) on these shots).

Mama Walrus - Day 22

Day 22 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Today we enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel with Pepaw Burton (my dear father-in-law).  I had not been to Cracker Barrel since last December when Jim and I went with PePaw and MeMaw Burton.   So much has changed since that visit to Cracker Barrel.  This is PePaw's first Christmas in 61 years without his "bride" (as he lovingly called her).  We had a great visit and recalled many memories of MeMaw.  She always ordered the Chicken-N-Dumplins from Cracker Barrel, so Jordyn kept the tradition alive and well and enjoyed the dumplin's.


I am so very thankful for the many years of memories our family made together.  One memory in particular that I have is super silly (or gross...depending on if you are high-faluting or not).   Tomorrow (December 24th),  is Memaw's birthday so I will share in her memory--I know she wouldn't mind.  


One thing MeMaw and I always enjoyed doing was eating.   She was a great cook but in her later years she was too sick to cook so she loved to eat out--and it was always her treat.    We would eat until our bellies were stuffed beyond stuffed and then we'd pile on dessert.    Memaw and I both have a little....uhh...habit...or uncontrollable response to our food at times.    You see, we both *burp* (okay...belch) very loudly.   It just happens.  No warning. Nothing--just a loud NOISE followed by embarrassment (or laughter depending on your company).   The first time I remember this happening, MeMaw went to say something and accidentally *burped* at a restaurant and it was so loud I immediately responded, "you sound like a walrus".  We both laughed until we almost wet ourselves.  So the phrase, "Mama Walrus" (for her) and Baby Walrus (for me) was termed. 


I am thankful for silly memories.  Happy Birthday a day early to Memaw aka Mama Walrus.

PePaw and MeMaw Burton Christmas 2010

Let Loose - Day 21

Day 21 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


I am thankful for the Message Bible's paraphrase of Luke today.  I have been reading it the past few days and letting it resonate with me. 


Have you taken time to worship and praise Jesus this Christmas season?  


I want to worship like Mary did (Message Bible Luke 1)

^46-48And Mary said, 

   I'm bursting with God-news; 

      I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. 

      God took one good look at me, and look what happened— 

      I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! 

   What God has done for me will never be forgotten, 

      the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others....

 

I want to let loose like the shepherds did in these verses (Message Bible Luke 2:12-20):

-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, 

Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and LET LOOSE, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

If you have time, I encourage you to read Luke Chapter 1 and 2 in The Message Bible.

Fruitcake - Day 20

Day 20 of Christmas Celebration and Praise


Today finds me thankful for being off from work and enjoying a rainy afternoon with my parents enjoying Chirstmas music along with a cup of coffee and two of my favorite Christmas yummies:

Yep - fruitcake and Chocolate German Gingerbread Cookies. 


(please refrain from the fruitcake comments!  ha ha)

8 Crazy Nights - Day 19

Day 19 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Today I am thankful for Hanukkah.  Happy to Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends. 

In case you are curious why I have a menorah, you can read this blog post from a few years ago.  

Oh How He Love Us - Day 18

Day 18 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. 

~ Saint Augustine

Bella The Elf - Day 17

Day 17 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

According to reliable sources, December 18th is "International Answer The Phone As Buddy The Elf Day".   Being an elf myself, I just had to give it a try this afternoon when the phone rang.    My precious mom was the recipient of my "Buddy The Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?".


You see, I am thankful for a mom who never ceases to make our family laugh with her Pat-ism and misunderstandings of words.  Our all time favorite line  to date of mom's is when Jordyn's cell phone was on vibrate and my mom exclaimed, "your phone's wiggling!!".  


My Mom has only seen Elf once (unlike me who has seen it a bazillion times) and can't quote the lines like yours truly can.   Therefore, I found it totally hysterical when I had to call mom later tonight to ask her a question and she answered her phone by saying, "Bella the Elf, what color you like?"  Another classic Pat-ism moment.

I am thankful for my mom who loves Jesus but knows how to love life and have fun too!

Give Me Liberty - Day 16

Day 16 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Whether you were a fan or not, the late Jerry Falwell, Sr.-- had a vision.  His vision? Liberty University. A college "with a vision to train Champions for Christ".    Our family is thankful for this college that is 'un-apologetically Christian'.  A place where parents can have peace knowing there are NO co-ed dorms on the 6,000 acre campus.  A place where classes are started with prayer requests. A place where each student is prayed over every day by prayer teams.  A place where the name of Jesus is lifted high.  A place I am proud to support as a parent.

Thank you Liberty University!!