Friday Stuff

You know what I think I'll do today?

I think I'll unpack my suitcase.

I wish I was kidding, but I'm not.  I went to Houston two weeks ago, came home, plopped my suitcase on my closet floor and never bothered with it again.  I never do that!

And the only reason I thought of it today was because I want to wear a shirt that's in that suitcase.

Which might explain why I haven't blogged about my trip either.  I know ... it's time.  I'm anxious to relive it all through a blog post, so I hope to get to it this weekend.

So, our week in a nutshell ....

I got to spend some time with my friend Cathy this week.  I always love any time I have with her, but she is in town under the saddest of circumstances.  Her brother passed away unexpectedly Monday.  Cathy's husband is still in Iraq which kills me that she's having to go through all this alone.  Would you pray for her and her family? They could sure use it!

Also, Olivia hasn't felt well this week.  Her allergies and asthma have been giving her a fit.  She's had breathing treatments all week and still not feeling great, though she did go back to school today.

I have to admit, I loved having her home yesterday.  She is so fun to be around! And, just look at that face and those missing teeth ....

So CUTE!

Emma has been sweet to bring her her makeup work from school.

I don't think Olivia looks at it like a 'sweet' gesture though :)

Speaking of Emma ..... when she isn't reading, you can usually find her in this position ....

She got an iTouch for Christmas and to say she loves it is a huge understatement.  Wanna know what she spends most of her time doing on her iTouch?

Reading my blog.  True story.  I'm even an 'app' now :)

I guess it's equivalent to reading a baby book for them.  They love it.

Speaking of 'apps' .... we have a slight dilemma in our house.  I have been waiting patiently for an iPhone.  My cell contract is up in 2 weeks.  Well, actually ten days now, but who's counting?

In an odd turn of events, Eric has now decided he would like an iPhone.

Stink.

That trumps everything because Eric is fortunate enough to have a birthday this month.

I can't compete with that. 

Plus, it comes down to necessity.  And, for some reason, my desire to use "Heytell" and play Boggle on demand isn't considered 'necessary'.

What - evah!

Stay tuned ....

Abide: A Warrior for My Children

I’m becoming more and more convinced that praying for my daughters is the single most important thing I can do for them as a mother.


To be honest, as I’m coming to that realization, I tend to feel like I’m getting a BIG FAT “F” in the mothering department.

Yes, I pray. Yes, I remember to pray every single day.

But, the reality is that I often feel like I’m not devoting the time necessary to lifting my daughters up to the Lord. Or, that my prayers aren’t specific enough to the needs they have individually.

And, don’t get me started on how often I get distracted when praying.

Maybe you can relate?

God has reminded me of the term ‘prayer warrior’. “Warrior” in the simplest of terms means a soldier prepared for battle, standing at attention and ready to engage in the fight. Certainly that definition applies to all areas of my life, but in terms of my little girls, I must go to battle for them daily in prayer.

Scripture says there is a battle going on constantly and deliberately for my girls’ lives. That thought alone puts the urgency in my prayer life and disgusts me over the ‘empty’ prayers I pray for my girls every day. It’s not going to be enough for me to pray for God to ‘protect them’ or ‘bless them’ throughout their day. This is warfare. So, I must accept it as such and get serious.

Emma and I had a conversation recently that changed the way I pray for both her and Olivia. We had had a very powerful service at church and Emma cried most of the way home. She couldn’t stop talking about the Lord and how wonderful He is to her and how she had never felt His Spirit so real like she had that night. Just listening to her touched my heart so much. As her Mother, I want so much for her to experience that as often as possible so she knows how real God is and never want to compromise walking with Him.

In the middle of our conversation she started thanking me for being a good Mom and for praying for her (I know, what every Mom wants to hear, right?). I assured her (and Olivia) that I pray for them every single day.

Emma wanted to know what and how I pray.

I told both of them that I pray about their day and anything specific they are facing that day (we pray together in the car on the way to school every morning). I also told them I choose a different ‘thing’ to pray for every week (a guide I found here).

They both loved this idea and what struck me the most was they want to know. They want to know what I’m praying for and when I’m praying it.

Perhaps the biggest lesson for me that night was how hopeful Emma looked asking me about praying for her. She wants my prayers. She needs my prayers!

So, I can’t drop the ball on this very important, probably most important, thing I can do for my children.

Thankfully, and by God’s grace, my prayer life for them looks different than it did a month ago. No need to feel defeated over what I’ve lacked in the past – I could start over NOW!

I got a journal for each girl and I record my prayers for them – just a list – nothing that will make me feel like I have to do ‘one more thing’. Yes, I still pray for God’s protection and blessing, for future husbands and those boys’ parents today to raise up godly men for my girls. But, I’m trying to talk to them more about what the need specifically. Their needs are so different given their ages. A ten year old’s world is considerably different than a six year old’s. They’re in different battles, so the warfare has to look a little different for each one.

I love how God is showing me those differences and I feel more like I’m engaging in this battle with the Lord at the forefront. Praying specifically for each need gives me wisdom in mothering them I wouldn’t otherwise have.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that gives to all men liberally …

and it shall be given to him”

James 1:5

There are times in God’s Word when He asks us to be still and watch Him fight for us. There are also times when He very deliberately implores us to engage in battle with Him. Praying for our children will always be a way we can engage in that battle. It’s our responsibility as mothers to fight for the children God has so graciously entrusted us with.

If we won’t, who will?

What about you? Are you up for the challenge?

100th Day of School

Technically, tomorrow is the 100th Day of School.  In first grade, that's a really big deal. 

I got the day mixed up (not a suprise) and thought it was today.  I don't know why I'm having a problem believing January has 31 days, but I can't seem to accept it. 

Anyway, I was doing Olivia's hair this morning and I said, "Happy 100th Day of School!"

She was annoyed and told me it's really the 99th day and that's no big deal.

Maybe the big deal is that I was early for a change instead of scrambling to get it together.  In fact, Olivia finished her 100th Day project on Sunday (A-Ha! Who says I'm not on time!)

She was very serious about doing the project herself.

She painted her cross pink ~ 

Which was a surprise to me since her favorite color is purple.  She told me while painting that she's come to believe a person could have too much purple.  Interesting.

She counted out 100 jewels by herself and started gluing them to her cross.

We love the way it turned out ....

"Hey Olivia, why don't you smile?" (She pulled her two front teeth Friday night and is PRE-CIOUS! ~ I could seriously listen to her talk all day)

This is what she did instead ...

You're welcome.  That's peanut butter crackers :)

I will get some pictures today. 

Until then, "Happy 99th Day of School!"

1,000 Gifts ~ #205 - #223

I'm counting gifts of grace I notice throughout the week ....

205.  Friends praying for me when I was freaking out about being sick and needing to pack for my trip.

206.  Meeting my roommates for the weekend (SSMT Celebration in Houston).  God graciously put me with these ladies that I only knew from Twitter.  We had the best time .... laughing hysterically and crying uncontrollably.  Loved every second.

207.  Seeing my parents and my girls at the airport when they came to pick me up.  I was SO glad to see them.

208.  Emma squeezing me so hard and not wanting to let go.  I love that they miss me when I'm gone.

209.  Feeling God's grace in abundance Monday when I had unexplainable strength.

210.  Friends helping me when my van broke down.  I never stressed for one second.

211.  A kick-off to Bible Study that will always be one of my favorites.  I felt so peaceful and I believe God moved.

212.  My Daddy cooking dinner on Tuesday when I was absolutely too tired to even think about it.

213.  Spending the morning napping.  Very uncharacteristic of me, but necessary.  Thankful to have the time.

214.  Encouraging emails.

215.  Lunch with a friend.  Laughing over silly things.

216.  God's provision.  Always enough.

217.  Friends helping decorate for a Women's Breakfast.  I never forget that not so long ago, I was the only one doing anything.  God has provided some special ladies to help share the work.

218.  Eric home.

219.  Women's breakfast.

220.  Witnessing 3 people accept Christ Sunday morning.

221.  My sweet Emma standing up to testify during our evening worship service.  She has cried a few times over missing her opportunity to do so in past services and feeling like she let God down.  She was obedient last night. 

222.  Hearing Olivia encourage Emma on the ride home saying she was proud of her for talking about Jesus.  Ahhhh ..... I could not love my girls more!

223.  Being able to relax on a Sunday night knowing Eric won't be going out of town this week.  P.E.A.C.E.

Five on Friday

1.  Perhaps the most important item on the agenda today is Eric coming home.  I haven't seen him since last Friday when he dropped me off at the airport for me to fly to Houston.  By the time I got home Sunday night, he had already left for his trip.  Stink.  We knew January would be a long month of travel, but praise God, we made it!!!!!

I must have said that a lot this morning because Olivia became annoyed with it.

I don't care - I'm excited anyway :)

2.  I recently ran out of Strawberry freezer jam.  It was a sad day.  So, at 10:00 one night, I decided to make some more.  We eat this on everything .... chocolate chess pie (LOVE), yogurt, ice cream, cinnamon bread, biscuits ...

Oh, but see that butter in the background?  Don't ever buy that.  Yuck. 

3.  See this picture right here?

This picture speaks L.O.V.E. 

We have a Women's Breakfast in the morning and I was suppose to iron the tablecloths.  That will never happen again since I have informed everyone I am not to be trusted with getting out stains, ironing and caring for tablecloths.  I stink at it.  Plus, these tablecloths are HARD to iron!

My Mom knows this, so she came over and ironed while I cooked supper, gave baths and packed lunches.  She ironed for 3 hours.  I'm SO thankful she did that! Especially since my solution was going to be to throw them all in the trash.

See? Can't be trusted with them.

4.  We started Believing God Monday night.  I want to get well, so I'm taking it very seriously.  I sat down and made a list of things I'm afraid of.  Two pages later, I'm amazed I'm not finished.  This is the first time I've listed my fears.  Seeing it all in print is making them all look more ridiculous to me, which seems like a step in the right direction.

5.  I just finished The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning (for the 2nd time).

I read the last half of this book on my way to Houston Friday.  I read the entire book again on the plane ride home.  I'm not sure if it was that good or if it was just timely for me.  Either way, I made a ton of notes and have looked them over every day this week.  I'll write more about it soon, but I'm curious as to whether any of you have read it (or any of his other books). 

Have a great weekend!!

Spirit Week

What I knew would be a long, crazy week hasn't been that bad.  I've been able to catch up on sleep and yes, yesterday helped.  I did drop the girls off at school, went straight to the sofa and napped all morning.  I never, ever do that.  I'll admit I had to remind myself repeatedly I needed it instead of doing the laundry and working on other important things staring me in the face.

It all had to wait and I think we'll all be better off because I got some rest.

This week is Spirit Week at school.  The girls enjoy it much more than I do because they don't have to wear uniforms.  (For the record, uniforms are a Mom's dream! You never have to fuss over what your kids will wear).

Anyway, my girls have pretty much picked out their own clothes all week.

Monday ~ Country / Western Day .....

 (Olivia's horse I brought her back from Houston :)

 Olivia's eyes are cracking me up in this next picture.  Emma pretty much annoys her in the mornings - ha!

(excuse the picture quality - it is DARK when we go to school)

Tuesday ~ Literary Character Day .....

Nancy Drew - that bag was packed full of essential items to solve mysteries.

She stayed in character ALL DAY!

 Mary Ingalls :)

Wednesday ~ Favorite Team Day ....

 These pictures make me HAPPY!!!

 Emma (unfortunately) takes after her Dad and pulls for NC State. 

Thursday ~ Tacky Day ....

Tacky day has been their favorite.  I did their hair by putting a cup on top of their head and gathering the hair all around.  Olivia could have cared less how it looked.  She just thought it was totally awesome to have a cup on her head :)

Tomorrow is blue and gold day to support our school.  Simple blue and gold day. 

What's even more exciting (for me) is that Monday it's back to uniforms.  Yippee!!!

Abide: Do You Want to Get Well?

Monday night was the first night of Bible Study for this semester.  We're doing Believing God this time.  I'm not sure why I've never done it before, but maybe it's God's timing I'm doing it now.

In preparing to lead the study, I've been struggling with a question that has been on my heart for some time.

Let me back up ....

My husband and I were cleaning out our bonus room.  Since moving to this house, we haven't had enough room for our my books.  They are crammed in every corner and shelf of this house.  So, in an attempt to get more organized, we were rearranging furniture and trying to figure out a solution.

I came across my very large stack of past Bible Study books.  If you are a Bible Study student, you may be like me and throw the latest one completed on top of the ever-growing stack and forget about it.

It was impressive.

I sat down and started flipping through each one .... David, Paul, Psalms, etc.  Page after page was filled with little nuggets I had forgotten about and finding each one kept me digging for more.

And, then I felt sick.

I was noticing a general theme to every book.  Written on every page were my answers to hard questions.  And, all of my answers were the same.

For years, I have taken Bible Studies on different subjects and themes and my answers to the many questions could have been the same on every page.  It was as if I hadn't learned one thing in over ten years.  As if God and I haven't made any ground together. 

Now, I know that isn't entirely true.  I can tell you at least one thing I've taken away from each study; however, I was reading evidence that I continued to have the same struggles.  Issues I was really wanting victory over yet I would see it again in another book.

That's the first time I heard God whisper "Deidre, do you want to get well?"

I recognized the question right away because I had been studying in John 5 at the time.   Let's read verses 1-7 ....

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

"Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 

For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

I always picture that moment like Jesus was looking at the pool, then looking down at the man and saying "Do you want to get well?" as if He had all the man needed to get up, but wondered if he was really interested in receiving it.

Sitting in front of my impressive stack of Bible Study books and reading the same answers over and over and over .... well .... I wasn't that impressed.

Instead I prayed for a change.  For God to speak to me specifically and clearly about Bible Study.  Why was I studying from these books? Why was I leading them? What did I want to gain from them? What was I hoping for? Did I WANT to get well?

I answered all of these questions over the next year or so.  I chose studies differently and approached them different.  And, I know God has been teaching me that those books are not what will heal me, but His Word alone will accomplish that.  And, we've been making some ground ... chiseling away at some things I've not wanted to do the hard work on.

"He sent his word, and healed them,
and delivered them from their destructions."
Psalm 107:20

One of my issues is fear (though there are many ;).  And not just fear of someone breaking in my house or something happening to my family.  But, deep down fear that influences every decision I make.  Fear that even affects my attitude and leaves me lonely and disobedient.

I testify to anyone that will listen that 'fear is my issue'.  "Hey you! I have an issue with fear".  It just rolls off my tongue so easily, I probably say it more than I say my own name.

And, I hear God saying it again ....

"Deidre, do you WANT to get well?"

"Deidre, are you interested in demolishing this stronghold?"

"Deidre, do you want some band-aid verses to use when you feel fearful OR do you want to let My Word rain down on your parched, fearful soul and let new life spring forth in its place."

My answer is a VERY LOUD "Yes!!!!!!"

I want to get well!!

I'm tired of being sick.  I'm tired of living in defeat over this one issue.  I want to get well and I KNOW the ONE that is capable of healing. 

What about you?

Do you want to get well?

Linked to: Word-filled Wednesday, Walk with Him Wednesday, Wordful Wednesday, and Women Living Well

I'm booked on Wednesday

Yaaaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnn.

I am a tad bit weary.

I landed back in NC Sunday night after a wonderful, sweet, fulfilling, crazy time in Houston for the Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration with Beth Moore.  I'm going to share more about it when I can figure out how I want to do so.  There was just so much that took place in 3 days.  God spoke to me in ways that nearly knocked me off my feet.  And, I know that I'm the only one that will really get that in print.  So, I'm not sure how to post about it.  If I wrote about it right now, I would say something like ... "I went to Houston.  It was nice.  I came home".

Stay tuned.

I knew life would be crazy once I got home.  I was trying to pack Thursday (with a violent stomach virus - yes, I almost died - except not really) when I skimmed an email from the girls' school saying this week would be Spirit Week.

As in no uniforms and a different 'costume' all week.

And, then I did die.

I scribbled down some instructions for Eric to round up some things for atleast Monday and today.  Today was posing a problem for Olivia (Literary Character Day) because she wanted to be Nutmeg (the mouse from Tumtum & Nutmeg).

Olivia's Mom can't sew.

Nutmeg is her favorite.  I hinted to her yesterday that Mary Ingalls was really her favorite, and because God loves me, Olivia decided that was true.

When Emma asked her why not Laura Ingalls, Olivia rolled her eyes and said "Hello! Blonde hair".

Exactly.

So far, it's all working out and the girls are happy with their outfits when leaving for school.  What a relief to me since I haven't had any time to be creative.

We started Bible Study last night (Believing God) and as if the first day of a new study isn't crazy enough for me, my van broke down. 

I didn't let it get me down, though.  It is what it is.  And, truthfully, what I want more than planned-out costumes and a van that runs is some sleep.

I've scheduled that for tomorrow.

Wednesday, the sofa and I will be best friends.

Can hardly wait.

Abide: Grave clothes

As much as I love to discover a story in Scripture I have never read before, I also love reading through a familiar story or passage to see what 'new' thing God reveals to me.

Enter John 11.

The passage about Lazarus is chock full of rich lessons from the Lord.  Every single time I read it, the Lord reveals new things to me.  I've always had so many questions about the story.

This time was no different.  God showed me something really interesting.

Quick background ....

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, was sick.  They sent word for Jesus to come quickly.  When Jesus heard the news, he stayed where he was another two days testifying that what was about to happen would be for the glory of God.  (vv. 1-7).

All of us who read this passage more than likely can relate to these verses.  When we want God to do something now, He often waits because there's a bigger picture .... a glory being revealed that we can't see. 

Tough.

Verse 7 shows Jesus and his disciples are traveling back to Judaea, where Lazarus was.  When Jesus gets there, Martha tells him they're too late.  Lazarus is dead ... he's been in the grave four days.

Verses 38-43 ....

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.


Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.


And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Many scholars will argue that Lazarus couldn't have been fully dead if he heard Jesus call his name.  I now know that this verse is comparable to when we are dead in our trespasses and Jesus calls us to accept Him, receive Him as our Savior and gives us new life.

He first called my name on January 5, 1992.  I was sitting in Sunday School and had been going to church for around 2 1/2 years.  Surely I had heard about Salvation by then? I don't know, but I can tell you I don't remember hearing it before then.

But, on that morning, my Sunday School teacher said "If you've never asked Jesus into your heart and accepted Him as your Savior, He cannot and will not hear your prayers!"

Those words cut right through me.  I had been praying some big prayers and needed desperately for God to hear me.  I couldn't wait to get into the service to talk to my Pastor.

And, it was on that day, shortly after the morning worship service, that I accepted Christ.  It was like the first time I heard Jesus say, "Deidre, come forth!!" and I responded.  He was calling me out of the grave ... my sinful state and giving me new life. 

But, what happened to Lazarus? Let's read further ...

Verse 44 ...

"And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."

The NIV says "Take off the grave clothes and let him go".

Graveclothes?

What would graveclothes mean to us? Why after resurrecting Lazarus from the dead (the most powerful act in itself) would Jesus then address the graveclothes? Why didn't He just demolish the graveclothes upon calling Lazarus out of the grave?

I believe when Jesus saves us, we have new life (2 Cor 5:17).  We are made whole and on our way to heaven.  However, the 'in between' time is Sancitification - when God is molding us more into His image every day, teaching us and taking us to deeper levels with Him so we may know more about Him.  In order to grow more like Him, we must get rid of the old things, the baggage that bogs us down and keeps us defeated.  We must shed the graveclothes and walk towards Him.

Graveclothes are anything that keeps us bound.  Anything that keeps us from loving what God created or whom God created.  Anything that keeps us from appreciating where Christ has us in this particular moment.

Graveclothes are bitterness, defeat, sorrow, guilt, abuse, shame, secrets, insecurity, condemnation, habitual sin, division amongst the brethren, gossip, hopelessness, depression, ____________.

I love that the KJV says "Loose him, and let him go".  That word 'loose' in original Greek means 'Lyo' which is to loose, destroy or to deprive any authority.
 
To deprive any authority!
 
When we become comfortable in our graveclothes, the above mentioned things (and more!) have full authority over our lives.  Those things are controlling our behavior, our moods, our service to a Heavenly Father.  We're making huge, life-altering decisions weighed down with graveclothes as if going to our funeral.
 
We become like a cancer to God's church and our homes He so desperately wants to see flourish.
 

Galatians 5:1 says "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

God knows how hard this is for us.  He gets all that we go through and He knows! But, according to Galatians 5:1, we can stand in the liberty He has prepared for us and walk out of that darkness. 
 
We are to live in this world, but we are not expected to be of this world.  God, alone, equips us to live freely and without burden.  All we have to do is ask him to help us shed the burden.
 
Are you walking around like you're going to your funeral? Or do you show you have a Risen Savior living and working within you!
 
Take off your graveclothes and walk! Salvation is here!

**Linked with Women Living Well Wednesday, Wordful Wednesday, Walk with Him Wednesday and Word Filled Wednesday.

Let's Hear For Teacher Workdays!

I can go ahead and say that the best part of this week is probably going to be the Teacher Workday. 

We love days off from school! And, what makes it even better is when Eric takes off from work as well.

We had a somewhat lazy morning and then went to Disc*very Place (a Science Museum about an hour from where we live). 

Eric went as a child, but I don't think I've ever been.  This was the girls' first trip too.

We stayed all day.

They have a fascinating Mummy exhibit that I thought would freak us out a little, but it was honestly very interesting.  We learned a lot! (I thought a lot about how timely it was considering I've been studying about grave clothes in John 11 - more on that tomorrow).

We weren't suppose to take pictures inside the Mummy exhibit.  However, when I saw this particular case that included a piece of paper that looked like hieroglyphics written on it, I was dumb-struck over what it actually was and secretly snapped a picture of the description.

Take a look for yourself ...

Can you imagine? Saving up for a long time so the instructions on how to get to the afterlife are placed in the coffin with you? How sad is that?

Anyway, Olivia was kind of over the whole Mummy thing after only a few minutes.  I finally agreed to take her out to play.

I think her favorite exhibit was this one.

You gather as much shredded paper as you can and send it up the chute.  It comes back out of the top and falls down again. 

She LOVED it.  And was laughing so loud it was contagious.

Emma loved all of it.  She loves Science, so she absorbs it all.

This next picture makes me laugh.  I think this woman was really wanting a turn on the chair :)

 My favorite part ..... the benches :)

Emma loved this whole assembly line exhibit.  She spent a LONG time there and even went back later.  She was fascinated at how each part was all ran by hand, like a production line.  She would study how one part would effect the next, wondering how time affected each section.  Which was a great way to explain what her Daddy does for a living (since we can never come up with a good way to explain it :) 

The bed of nails ...

After dinner and a full day of fun, we reluctantly headed home to get ready for the school week.

There's not much better than spending the day with my family.  We love days like this! In the midst of an insanely busy month, we are grateful for days like today.