Thinks

Seems the schedule has been wide-open recently.  Too much to cover so I thought I'd give a brief update of happenings.  Once my test is complete (see below) I hope to be back with regular posting.  Until then, here's what is happening in my neck of the woods:

• Thinking Thinks, or at least singing them - Oh The Thinks you can Think has been playing in my mind the past two weeks (which is ironic because I can’t think of a THINK to blog about recently).    Our family has been speaking in rhyme most of the time (see…proof in point!)  as Jordyn performed in  Seussical the with CYT.  This was her final production with CYT.   She was an orange bird gal and the performance was fantastical.  

• Cramming my life away (when I’d rather be dancing my life away) -  I have been busy trying to study, study and study some more as I prepare for my upcoming performance test  (sign language) next Friday (June 3^rd).  I’d appreciate your prayers .  To say I am nervous would be an understatement.  I truly need The Lord’s SUPER to meet my natural for a supernatural result. (I'll keep you posted but it will be a few months before I know how I did.)

• Taking in my daily dose of cuteness - Amanda has been sending me daily pictures of my little precious grand daughter (who is now walking!) Fingers are crossed that we may be able to see them sometime in June!!

Jaelynn hates her hair bows

       

• Rejoicing that it is here!  The season has arrived.   The sun is hot, the garden is growing and that can only mean one thing.  Nope, I’m not referring to  bathing suit season (*insert major dread moment right here!*).  Not even referring to summer.  The season is here.  One of the most wonderful times of the year - ICE CREAM season.    Found an amazing new place in my area called Rita’s.  Yummy.  If you don’t have a Rita’s then try one of these bad boys.  

Magnumicecream.com

• Finding time to pee and unplugging some –  I bet that got your attention!  I loved  Gypsy Mama’s recent  blog post  about her recent experience of being unplugged (off line) for almost two months.   Click here to read.  Helps keep everything in perspective.  Thanks Gypsy Mama!

Today I am linking up with my buddies over at Company Girl.  (I've missed you all but I have been praying for you and stalking your blogs each week.)


Have a great weekend! 

What's a girl to do??

I recently had a conversation with a friend where I stated "I wish God would email me and just TELL ME WHAT to do.....give me some specifics (bullet points would be helpful) for my next step!!"  I am sure you have felt that way too at times.  We all know The Lord will guide us in our ways if we just keep asking Him and seeking His face.  I found great encouragement in a recent blog post I read by Lysa TerKeurst.  (instead of sending me an email, maybe I was sent a blog post?? Hmmm.)   


On Tuesday, May 10th Lisa wrote this encouraging post:

We all have those times in life where we wish the voice of God would audibly speak so loudly there’s no way we could miss it, “THIS IS THE DIRECTION I WANT YOU TO GO.”  Then we’d know whether to stay the course or quit and head off in a new direction.  Have you ever wished for this kind of supernatural interaction with God?

I have.

We want to know what to do.

Sometimes we stay in a place too long.

But I think the greater loss happens in those times we quit too soon.  And we live with this nagging sense of what if.  What if I’d persevered one more year, one more month, one more day. 

What if David had been so put off by his Dad’s brush off, that he refused to come in from the field and see Samuel?  (1 Samuel 16)

What if David had assessed whether or not to face Goliath based on the shadow of his opponent rather than the shadow of the Almighty?  (1 Samuel 17)

What if Abigail’s pride or fear had stopped her a few steps shy of bowing low before David?  (1 Samuel 25)

Knowing when to stop and when to keep on keeping on is a crucial life lesson.  One I want to learn well.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus encourages us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I used to get so frustrated when I heard this verse because I thought, I don’t want rest.  I want reassurance!  I’m burdened by this decision I have to make.   I don’t want to mess up my life by missing a cue from you, God.

But the gift of the rest Jesus is offering here is not a spiritual Ambien.  The Greek word for this kind of rest is Anapauo which has as one of its definitions: “of calm and patient expectation.” 

In other words, Jesus is saying if you come to me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation. 

But how?

My friend Jennifer Rothschild does this enlightening exercise at some of her conferences.  She tells the audience to imagine her writing two different words on a large chalkboard.  She then speaks the letters as she draws the first word into the air… R-E-S-T.  She does the same for the second word… R-E-S-I-S-T.  Then she asks what’s the difference?

The difference is, of course, “I.”

I don’t know what to do.  I can’t figure this out.  I’m worn out.  I’ve tried everything I know to do.  I’ve given all I have to give. 

I’m familiar with these “I” statements because I’ve said them myself.

We can only find Anapauo rest- fresh hope- as we stop running ragged and simply take on the next assignment Jesus gives.

In verse 29 of Matthew 11 Jesus gives us this assignment- take on his yoke and learn from Him.  Ask Jesus to show you just the next step.  Not ten steps.  Not the whole path.  Not the Google map with the highlighted route. Just the next step. 

Complete that step with excellence and an open, humble heart.  Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in this next step.

This is your part of the equation.

But after the assignment, comes the reassurance in verse 30, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  We don’t have to have all the answers.   We just have to stay connected to the One who does.  Where our strength ends is the exact point where His will begin.

This is God’s part of the equation.

I must do all I can do.  Then God will do what only He can do.  My pastor, Steven Furtick, says, “You bring the natural.  God will then bring the super.  And that’s what creates supernatural.”

Should I stay?  Should I go?  Maybe the better question is, “God, what is the next step I’m to take today?  I’m going to do my part.  And trust the rest with You.

Motherhood should come with.......

Here's wishing all you mommies (and spiritual moms) out there a blessed Mother's Day weekend full of celebration and enjoyment (and hopefully some much needed rest and relaxation--yes, I live in a dream world! *smile*)  I plan to take a run to Maggie Moos to do some celebrating myself. 


In addition to my Company Girls, I decided to join up with Five Minute Friday today since the topic totally made me laugh!  


So, here is my take on the topic of:


Motherhood should come with........

·         A “How to for Dummies” manual. 

·         A pay check (just saying!)

·         A big bucket to catch all the shed tears from pain when we feel like we've failed or when we can't "fix-it" for them times.

·         A do-over clause especially for the first born who I refer to as my precious little guinea pig.

·         A pause button to slow things down because it goes way to fast (it may start slow and sleepless but it increases in speed as the years go by).

·         A life time supply of hair color to cover all the grey hairs that sprout in the teen years.

          A lifetime supply of cleaning supplies for all the messes we have to clean. 

·         A huge flashing sign (a neon sign would work) permanently fixed above your head that flashes "Clean your room, get off the computer, Stop hitting your sister, etc." so you don't have to repeat yourself so often and waste precious breathe. 

·         A cool title with a set of business cards to hand out for all the people that look at your with utter disgust (as if we were lazy or something—puh-lease!) because we answer the famous question of “What do you do (meaning your job)?” with “Oh, I’m a stay at home mom”.

·         Confetti and party hats because it truly is a daily celebration to have the honor and privilege to be entrusted by The Lord to raise children.  (After all, they belong to Him and are just on loan to me for a short time). 

my precious daughters 

me and my mommy

my amazing, dear mother-in-law.  We miss you MeMaw but know you are dancing with Jesus this Mother's Day!!