Sunday Letters

Dear Olivia,

You told me this week you are finished with Dora and Diego.  Aside from the fact you think you're too old for it {tear}, you said, "Mom, they're just not smart people.  Why do they take so long to decide what to do? It takes them forever to figure out how to cross a broken bridge.  Go around it!"

I think patience must be a continuing theme for you this week.  When you missed school Thursday, you were so happy about it.  You told me you didn't want to waste time in class.  After some prodding, I understand that after you do each exercise, the teacher makes you wait until she walks around the room to check everyone's answer before you can move on.  You said the waiting is ridiculous. :) I'm so relieved your report card said you are a patient and respectful student.  That means you're keeping your opinions to yourself at school, which I know can be hard ;).

Oh, and you read this book to us this week.  By yourself.  I am so proud of you!

Dear Emma,

You have had a quiet week.  You've been so sick and not really wanting to talk that much.  I'm glad you're feeling better, but I still wonder if you need an antibiotic.  You're just not your self.

You asked me this morning if just you and I could have a date this week.  Yes! We need it. 

Dear Eric,

We are so blessed! I've had a lot of time to think this week (not always a good thing, right?) since I've been home with sick girls.  One thing that keeps coming to my mind is the 2 of us when we first got married.  I keep thinking about how our life was then and could we ever have anticipated how blessed we would be with 2 precious girls.  We have long days, and presently long nights (ha!), but I wouldn't trade our life for anything.  Right now, or girls love to be wherever we are.  Like last night, on a palette on the floor in our bedroom.

Can you believe we get to be their parents? Oh, and we'll totally pull this picture out for Emma's rehearsal dinner :) She cracks me up with her sleep mask. haha

Dear Carolyn,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We have much to celebrate this year, wouldn't you say?  You have been through a lot over the past few months having been diagnosed with breast cancer, but you have handled everything with such grace and strength. 

It was so fun to be able to surprise you last night for your birthday.  Haha - GOTCHA!

I am thankful for you and proud to be your daughter-in-law.  I love you!

*****************

If you want to participate in Sunday Letters and post some of your own, just grab a button on my sidebar and leave me a comment telling me you did.

She Brings Laughter to the World at 10:30

I picked Olivia up from school yesterday at 12:00.  She goes to half-day Kindergarten.  We all had been couped up all week (well, mainly me) so I was looking forward to a few hours out of the house.  We had a few hours to spare until we picked Emma up at 3:00.

I had to pick up a birthday gift so we went to the mall.  I hadn't been to the mall in at least a month so I was just enjoying looking around. 

With all the cough medicine Olivia has been on - and truthfully, hasn't had any in a few days - she has been WILD.  I'm not sure how to explain it other than she speaks VERY LOUDLY and about the most random things.  And fast.  She talks very fast.

We were walking through a department store and I had to tell her several times to lower her voice. And to stop and take a breath.  Then, she found the hats.

My girl loves a good hat.

Take my picture, Mom. (all I had was my cell phone)

Wait, just one more, Mom.

We finally left the hats to buy our gift and headed to B*rnes and Noble.  We had the best time.  I tried to choose books we had never read before so we could sit in a corner and read.  Olivia amazed me.  She wouldn't let me read to her.  She wanted to try all of them herself.  I was impressed.  She's doing so well.

I left her for a second so I could look for some books for Emma.  I came back to find this ...

When all else fails, go with what you know. 

She loves Green Eggs & Ham.

Here's a video of the girls last night.  A small taste of what we've been dealing with the past few days.  As Olivia has been going through this weird stage of not wanting to be laughed at, we've tried to encourage her by telling her she brings us so much joy each day and that's why we laugh. 

She now says she brings laughter to the world.  And at 10:30? We're not sure where that came from.


Untitled from Deidre on Vimeo.

I Really Wish I Could Answer You

The cool thing about blogging is the relationships it brings in your life.  Blogging brings people together that wouldn't otherwise meet.  I love it.  I call many of you my 'friends' though people look at me as if I'm crazy - reminding me of when I had an imaginary friend growing up.

Her name was Melissa.

She wore a yellow dress.

Moving on ...

I try my best (doesn't always happen) to respond to every comment I get.  I run into problems, though.  Here's how you can help ...

1.  If you have a blog ...

Comments are sent directly to my email address.  This allows me to reply via email.  I realized not many of you are receiving my replies because your comment says "non reply comment".  So, here's what you have to do .... Go to your dashboard, choose Edit Your Profile.  Check the "show my email" box on your Blogger profile. Then SAVE your changes.  This allows me to reply to your comment by email.

Go now and check it.  It's easy, even for a non-techie like me. I can't always reply, but it puts us one step closer to each other.


2.  If you do not have a blog ...

One reason I allow anonymous comments is because so many of you that know me personally read, but don't have a blog (and why don't you, by the way?).  Anyway, even though opening up to anonymous sets me up for get just about anything, I still like to have that interaction with you.  BUT, BUT, BUT ... the majority of you are not signing your name or putting your initials.  Sometimes I can figure it out, but most times I can't. 

Include your name.  Or your initials.  Or use a code word like 'bathroom stall' (See? I would totally know who that was).

Not leaving your name or initials is equivalent to calling my house, saying something sweet and then hanging up (before caller-id days).

So, let's get to it.  Check the box!

By the way, I LOVE your comments! Thank you for taking time to read this silly blog and thank you even more for taking the time to leave me a note.

Also ... Are you thinking of starting a blog? My friend, Meredith has a guest post today from Stephanie at Stephanie's Mommy Brain explaining how to get started.  Click here to read more.

I Need Sleep and Other Bloggy Stuff

I feel like Eric and I have gone back to our days with a newborn.  My peaceful, loves-to-sleep child has decided it's not for her. 

Olivia has always had tummy problems.  I admit now it's difficult to tell when she's really having a legitimate problem.  She wakes every.single.night. complaining of her tummy hurting.  Sometimes I feel like it's an excuse and other times I believe her. 

Yes, we've been to doctors and yes, we've tried just about everything.  We think now it's hunger pains (I know, rips my heart out).  She's a tiny little thing, but does have a big appetite.  She's always snacking and eats at every meal, but just before she eats is when she complains of her tummy hurting.  Then, while she eats, she complains.

I didn't mean to share all that this morning.  It's just we've had a long night (she was up at 2:00 and didn't go back to sleep until 4:00).  She was up BRIGHT AND EARLY (6:00 AM) wheeling this into my bedroom to share some 'tea' with me.

Whew.  I am grumpy.

So, I'm going back to bed.  The girls are both finally in school this morning.  I'm using this time to do something productive like sleep.  It's my gift to my family.  Without it, I'm gonna crack.

Before I go, I wanted to share a few things with you ....

** Are you still praying for Joanne?

She moves to a long-term care facility this morning which is a huge answer to prayer.  She has a long road to recovery, so I know the family would appreciate your prayers and comments.  Visit her blog for the latest updates and to leave a note for the family.

** I've heard from many of you via comments, Twitter, and email about joining me next week.  Two new things ...

First, Sunday Letters.

I can't wait to read how you love/affirm your family.  It's a great way to weed through the mundane or trials during the week to see the beauty of our days.  Grab a button from my sidebar and let me know if you are joining in.

Also, the Love Month - reaching out to share God's Love.

I've already heard some of your ideas.  You guys are brilliant and serious about loving your families.  I can't wait to read more.  Tuesday is February 1st! I'll have a button by then you can use for your posts. 

Okay, I'm crawling back in bed.  Have a great weekend!

Parenting

My girls had to go to bed early tonight.  Like really early.  Not because they were tired or sick, but because of disobedience.

Now that they are asleep, I'm trying to rebuke any false guilt trying to make a home in my heart and mind.  It happens everytime I have to be 'hard' on my children.

I hate it.

The bottom line is this:  Disrespect.

My girls answer 'yes ma'am' or 'no ma'am' when asked a question.  They don't talk back to me.  They don't roll their eyes (God forbid!). 

Right now the pattern going on is complaining about what we're having for dinner, ignoring chores, ignoring my requests to clean their rooms, or telling me "I'll do it in a minute". 

Disrespect.

I don't react well to it. 

My flesh would have me act like a 12 year old and retaliate.  My flesh would have me cry and scream and yell (okay, maybe I've tried that too). 

Look, I'm no expert on parenting.  FAR from it, honestly, but we are now working on a different method.  That will change soon enough, since we have to constantly think of new ways to discipline, but for now, we're praying this works.

After telling them (nicely) all day last Thursday to clean the bonus room, I went in there just before bed and it was a disaster.  They were more than willing to clean it then (stall tactic, you see), but we didn't let them.  After much discussion, we woke them up at 5:30 AM the next morning to clean it up.

I know.  Just call me Joan Crawford.

They were miserable that morning. 

So, we've been telling them when they choose to disrespect our wishes and our time, we'll disrupt theirs. 

Which brings us to today. 

I'll spare the details because I'm too tired to re-hash it, but this afternoon more of the same happened and I asked them each to go to their rooms until Eric got home.  That's something I never do, but I was trying to avoid acting 12.

We promised them on Sunday night if they chose to disrespect us, they would shave 30 minutes off their bedtime for every offense. 

They went to bed at 7:30 ... an hour early.

Who knows if it will work.  Olivia didn't seem too remorseful .... skipping to her room as if she'd been given a gift (she's been a WILD one today).  Emma got in bed without saying a word.

Parenting is HARD.

Thank goodness His mercies are new every morning.  I need a fresh start.

Fighting Over the Sick Cup

Emma is back at school today.  She was actually happy to be going back, though she still looked a little weak to me.  She gave us a scare yesterday when she woke up.  She went straight to the bathroom to try to pull her loose tooth.  Thank God Eric was standing with her because after a few seconds, she passed out.  I was putting breakfast on the table when I heard Eric screaming her name.

Whew.  Scary.

She is so sensitive to medicine, and even though I give her 1/2 doses, she still doesn't react well. 

Today, she is fine.  But, Olivia is home.

Truthfully, Olivia is thrilled to be home.  She has willed herself sick all week because she thinks that earns you certain perks.

Like the sick-cup.

We didn't set out to make this the sick-cup, but my girls have named it that.  When Emma had her tonsillectomy, we gave it to her to drink out of while lying on the sofa.  Olivia cried over it, asking if she had to have her tonsils removed in order to drink out of it. :)

It's just a cup.  We all want what we can't have, right?

Monday morning, when we knew Emma was too sick to go to school, Eric cheered her up by pouring her juice in the sick-cup.  Olivia starting crying (imagine with a deep whine), "When am I gonna get the sick cup? I'm never sick! This is nooooo fair!"

Do you believe me yet about the drama in this house?

So today, Olivia is on the sofa with a fever and the sick-cup.  It's not quite as mellow today because she has a completely different reaction to cough medicine.  She is flat.out.WILD.  She talks a mile-a-minute and about random things.

She's asked me 437 times IN A VERY LOUD VOICE if I like her bedroom slippers.

I woke this morning to her holding my eyelid open and saying, "Morning, Mama.  It's morning so let's talk.  After all, we do have a lot in common".

Yes, we do ... except I like to sleep and CLEARLY YOU DO NOT.

She talked and talked about how she really shouldn't go to school because she has germs and she would get too tired and she really couldn't take raising her hand to talk all day. 

I don't doubt it.  At this rate, Olivia, your arm would be in a sling by dinnertime.

Love as a Verb

This time next week, we'll turn our calendars to February.  Can you believe that? Seems like Christmas was just yesterday.

As a family, we've been looking forward to February.  Last year, I posted every day for the entire month about things I love or ways we were showing God's love.  We had so much fun doing that as a family.  We took a month/holiday that is made up by the world and turned it into an opportunity to learn about God's love and what He meant by us sharing it with others.

So ... for months the four of us have been thinking about how we will put that into action this February.  I told the girls we weren't going to focus so much on what we love, but instead, seek God's direction on how He wanted us to serve Him.

I love the conversations that have sparked since bringing this up.  I have enjoyed sitting down with Olivia as she comes up with her own list of who to serve and what to do.  It thrills me to watch Emma make her own list that includes people she would like to bless.  I have found that once you set your mind to it, the possibilities are endless.  And, I'll even go as far to say, since talking about it, we couldn't help but to go ahead and put some things into motion.

What about you? Wanna join us? All you have to do is post each day during the month of February about something you love or how you are serving someone that day.  I hope to have a button you can grab for your blog by that day.  I can't wait to see what others come up with.  We can encourage each other, looking for creative ways to allow God to stretch us beyond our normal boundaries and take us out of our comfort zones.

One general theme we've enforced with our girls already is oftentimes a bigger blessing comes with sacrificing something.  We've asked them to consider what they will sacrifice.  That's been the tough part, but they are loving the thought (right now - sacrifice is hard).

This doesn't have to be hard.  Some days I'll be posting on ways I'm loving my family - making special meals, leaving notes for them to find or just making them feel valued.  It doesn't have to be huge ideas ... just something we follow through with.

A few ideas we've knocked around are ...

** How we will love/serve each other under our own roof.
** Reaching out in our community
** Is there a need in our neighborhood?
** Do we know someone who is hurting that needs encouragement?
** Is there someone we don't particularly care for that God would like us to reach out to? (this is a toughy)
** What about our classmates/teachers/pastors?

Endless possibilities.  Ask God to show you who you are to serve.  By the way, He WILL show you.  It's absolutely His will for us to reach out and take the focus off of ourselves.

 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,

but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28

Who's with me?

Just Some Random Stuff

I thought I would  jump on here quickly for an update. 

**  Emma woke up yesterday with a high fever.  She was really sick.  The doctor took one look at her and was convinced she had the flu.  She tested negative for both flu and strep.  So, a virus? She and Eric had planned to participate in our school's Chapel today.  Eric was the speaker and Emma planned to sing a song.  We debated for an hour this morning whether to send her or not.  She didn't have a fever at the time, so I let her go.  I saw her on stage during Chapel and my heart sank.  Bless her heart.  She looked so weak.  She sang one verse (a plan she worked out with Eric beforehand) of a beautiful song about Faith.  Emma is a beautiful singer (hey, I'm her Mom), and I could tell she struggled a bit, but I was still so proud of her.  She lasted as long as she could today and came home with me at 12:00.  Her fever is back {sigh}.

**  Olivia's class was in charge of Chapel which means she sang a song and said a bible verse.  Though she sang beautifully, she decided the motions were silly and opted out.  Still, I was equally as proud of her.

**  Our women's group started bible study last night.  We're doing this one.  I am looking forward to learning what's in this book.  I loved last night and was encouraged so many women were excited as well.

**  Olivia has always, always, always loved sleeping by herself and in her own bed.  Even when we're having a family camp-out downstairs, she chooses to sleep alone upstairs.  BUT, something has happened over the past 3 weeks or so.  Every.single.night. she sneaks in our bed around 3:00am.  Which means Eric and I don't get much sleep after 3:00.  I asked her this morning WHY on earth she keeps doing this.  Her best response to date:  "Because my tummy always hurts and you have a magic bed".

Who can argue with that?

**  I'm working on a post to tell you what we'll be up to starting next week.  I'm getting pretty excited about it.  More to come.

After I get some sleep.

Going now to snuggle on the sofa with my sweet, sick Emma and take a nap.  After all, I've been up since 3:00 am. :)

Do you have Sunday Letters you need to write?

Who's hoping this week turns out better than last? (See me raising my hand?).  Last week had its happy moments, but for the most part, I was glad to see it go.  I'm praying for a do-over this week.  Anyone else?

I wanted to talk about a few new things going on with this blog in the upcoming weeks.

First of all .... Sunday Letters.

I realize I've never given any sort of background as to how I decided to begin writing to my family each week.  I just did it one Sunday and it stuck with me.  But, there is a reason.

The day I found out I was pregnant with Emma, I grabbed a journal I already had and started writing to her.  Directly to her.  As if I already knew her and maybe we were having a conversation.  I wrote (almost) daily about anything I could think of.  Sometimes I wrote about my doctor appointments, how I was feeling being pregnant (mostly entries on being sick) or a cute outfit I had bought her.  I quickly filled one journal and others followed .... continuing to write even after she was born.  These journals are treasures to me today. 

I did the same when I was pregnant with Olivia, but just as any mother of more than one child will tell you, it became increasingly difficult to keep it up. 

Then, I started this blog in 2006, so those entries soon replaced me sitting down and writing in a journal.

My girls love to read blog entries about them, but they also love for me to read those old journals to them that tell what was on my heart in the context of speaking directly to them.  Then, a few summers ago, I read the book Wednesday Letters and felt a tug at my heart again to write regularly just to them.

Time just doesn't allow it most of the time, so I decided to start a (very small) version every Sunday.  Therefore "Sunday Letters" was born. 

Several of you have commented about wanting to do the same thing (Mindy already is), so I thought it would be neat to open it up to anyone who wants to join in.

So, here's what I'll do.  Faith made me this cute button (thank you, Faith).





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If you want to join in, next Sunday just grab this button to use in your own Sunday Letters post.  Be sure to link back directly to mine.  Then, let me know you're joining in by linking up at the bottom of my post each Sunday.  Easy enough, right?

Make it your own ... write to your children, grandchildren, husband, friends, dog (yes, I've done that) or whomever you choose.  It's a great way to affirm your family or simply let them know what was on your heart.  I promise you, they will love it! Emma and Olivia run to the computer before church every Sunday to see what I've written to them.  Most of the time they are laughing remembering our week :)

So, what do you think? Interested? Let me know.  I can't wait to see what you all come up with.  What a great way to encourage our families!

Edited to add ... I just read back over my post and realized I said I would tell you about a couple of things going on here.  I'll get to the other one this week.  I'm excited to share a new thing we will be doing, hoping you'll join in.  Check back soon :)

Sunday Letters

Dear Emma,

You have had such a fun week at school.  Spirit Week has afforded you the opportunity to express yourself.  You thought it was the best week ever. It was neat seeing what you would come up with next.

You started reading The Little House on the Prairie last week.  You and I have read The Little House in the Big Woods but it's been a few years.  Thursday you told me you were taking the book back to the Library because it was the most boring one you'd ever read.  ha! I couldn't believe it.  I felt like you were un-American or something.  So, I started recording episodes on TV to see if I can win you over.  Not the same as the books.  But, just maybe ...

Dear Olivia,

I was writing an email to a friend last week and you snuck up behind me and read it.  You.read.it.  I had to laugh because you are learning to read so quickly, but then I realized all privacy is gone :)

You are a note-writer.  You love pads of paper, pens and highlighters.  You write notes all day long and leave them for us to find.  My favorite this week was this one ...

"I love The Bible".  I could squeeze you.

Speaking of loving things, you told me this as I left the house yesterday:  "Mom, I have something very important to tell you.  I love Justin Beiber, but I love God and my Bible more".

Well, thank goodness. Let's keep things in their proper place ;)

Dear Eric,

Outside of my relationship with the Lord, you are my rock and my strength.  You anticipate my needs before I realize I have them.  I'm so proud to be your wife.  I love you.

************************************************
Wanna join in on Sunday Letters? Grab a button from my sidebar.  I'll talk more about details next week.

Tacky

I couldn't be happier it's Friday.  I know.  I say that every Friday, but I think I mean it more today ;)

Spirit Week is coming to a close today (woo hoo!).  Today was blue and gold day (school colors) ending with a pep rally before the Homecoming game. 

But, yesterday? Yesterday was retro (think 60s, 70s or 80s) or tacky day.  We went with tacky.  Mainly because it meant I didn't have to think about it or plan anything.  I told the girls to pick out whatever they wanted to wear, I didn't care.

Boy did they ever.  This is how they looked when we left for school.

What's with the faces?

I noticed Emma was wearing the same pajamas she slept in.  She said she decided to do that the night before, which would be more practical and save time in the morning.

Why, yes.  We should sleep in our clothes every night.

Next week, it's back to uniforms.  I'm the only one that's happy about that.

Spirit Week is still going strong

We're still in the middle of Spirit Week at school.  The kids love it, but I have to say it's more work for me.  I realize how spoiled we are with just having to choose which uniform the girls should wear each day.  Coming up with outfits is exhausting, with all the decision making.  I'm not good at making decisions.

Anyway, yesterday was crayon day.  We haven't had this day in previous years, so I was skeptical.  But, yesterday all the kids were excited to be dressed head to toe in the same color.  Who knew?

We had a pink crayon and a purple crayon.  Cute!

But, today was sports teams.

Some of you know that Eric graduated from NC State (and was even a cheerleader there :), so he has tried everything to make his girls into Wolfpack fans.

Emma wasn't that hard to persuade.  Olivia on the other hand is still riding the fence.  Truthfully, she goes with whoever she likes most that day (meaning me or her daddy) because I am a Carolina fan.  No, I didn't go there.  I just grew up pulling for them.

So, I took advantage of her fickleness (is that a word?) and knew I could convince her to rival her sister.  I asked a friend at church (thank you, Lynn) to hook me up with some UNC duds. 

What do you think?

Because she has this weird quirk about people laughing right now, we were trying to hold it in.  But, boy was it hard.  She is so stinkin' cute!

I had to laugh as they climbed into Eric's car this morning.  I know he was dying over the fact Olivia was dressed that way.  He hates Carolina.

So, what do you think Mammaw and Pappaw Johnny??? Isn't she cute??

Career Day with the President and Her Dentist

We went to school for a half-day today to make up for the snow last week.  We didn't mind.  We were all excited because it was Career Day (a part of Spirit Week).

Olivia wanted to go as a dentist.  She had a lab coat, but wanted toothbrushes to hand out.  I forgot about those, so I gave her the plastic dental floss thingys to hand out instead.

Emma went dressed as P.O.T.U.S.

AKA:  The President of the United St*tes.

The funniest part of it was Eric going as her Secret Service Agent.

Yes.  He did.

He made flags to put on his car and he escorted her into the building.

Do I have to tell any of you that know him well that he stayed in full character all morning?

I was already at work when I saw them walking down the hall.  He was announcing her arrival and acting like he was checking all security.

It was hilarious. 

Oh, and he made her some business cards.

She was handing them out to all the teachers and students.

She had the best time.  Eric kept telling Olivia he also needed to protect the President's dentist, but she didn't want any part of it :)

Eric, I have no doubt Emma will never forget this day and what her Daddy did for her.  I love you!

Sunday Letters

My Sweet Emma,

My heart broke for you when you got in the van Thursday in tears and declared it "The worst day of your whole entire life".  I had to pull off the road just so I could get out and hug you.  Bless your heart.  You had your Spelling Bee and didn't win.  You spelled "ATE" when the word was suppose to be "Eight".  I know! Ate? For a Spelling Bee? Anyway, I think the point in 3rd grade is to get you to ask for a definition to distinguish between homophones.  We practiced that, but you didn't ask for this word.  Hard lesson. 

What touched my heart even more was after we got home.  I thought you had moved on.  You spent some time in your room and then came downstairs in tears.  You said, "Mom, I'm not sad.  I just don't want God to think I'm prideful and thought I could win".  Ahhhh ... your heart and your convictions are astounding sometimes.  Your heart stays broken more over the thought that you're breaking God's heart.  We should all be more like you, sweet Emma.

On a happier note, you have had a fabulous week off because of snow.  Lazy days in PJs, sleeping late and playing with your sister.  You love it.  I did learn something about us this week.  If we were a homeschool family, you would never know how to spell "EIGHT".  We would never do anything besides eat and play.

Last night, you baked made-from-scratch blueberry muffins.  I let you do everything by yourself, only helping you put them in/out of the oven.  They were delicious.

Dear Olivia,

A whole week home with you means a whole week of entertainment.  I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you. are. funny.  You hate that we laugh at with you.  We just can't help it.

You have learned where to find John 3:16 in your Bible and love to turn to it and read.  You'll never know how much joy it brings me to see you read your Bible.  You are so hungry to know what every word is.  Goodness, I pray you will love it.  Let it be so, Lord!

I took some video of you this week.  The first is you finding John 3:16. 

Olivia reading the Bible from Deidre on Vimeo.

The second one is of you reciting the books of the Bible.  You look like you're reading them, but you can't read all those books.  What you're really doing is reciting them from memory.

Olivia - Books of the Bible from Deidre on Vimeo.

All credit goes to your Sunday School teachers :) I'm so proud of you!

Dear Eric,

Please do not talk to the neighbors anymore about our dog.  We look like total idiots chasing Sadie, while their new puppy sits quietly by his master's side.  We are a freak show!! What on earth are we going to do? We should have gone with a fish.

Siesta Scripture Memory Team - Verse #2

The 15th, already? It's time again to sign in to the LPM blog with my next verse to memorize.  This is when it gets fun .... learning another, but still reciting the one before.  I'm praying God will not only allow the words to stick, but to change the way I think ... referring to what He's teaching me.  Otherwise, it's all pointless.

The verse I chose this time is one I studied some this summer.  I just never memorized it completely.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the

mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you

in due time: Casting all your care upon him,

for he careth for you."

1 Peter 5:6-7

I have known verse 7, but God has been teaching me a lot about verse 6.  My job is to humble myself, submit myself fully to Him always.  I don't need to worry about proving myself to anyone.  I don't even have to worry about defending myself or my actions, as long as I am humbled under His mighty hand, conforming to His image and shedding that ugly pride I so often try to walk in.  He will take care of the rest.

As much as I've studied it, I'm looking forward to hiding it in my heart, having to say it all year and hopefully, apply it always to my life.

Because of His Grace

"I am not what I ought to be,

I am not what I want to be,

I am not what I hope to be in another world,

but still I am not what I once used to be,

and by the grace of God,

I am what I am."

John Newton

(author of Amazing Grace)

January 5, 1992.

I sat through Sunday School just like I had every Sunday for over 2 years.  The day seemed incredibly routine.  A little monotonous, actually.  I always felt like I had a black cloud hovering over me.  My life was heavy.  I never felt happy, with very little hope.

I think I was half-listening to the lesson.  In and out, while daydreaming about what awaited me at home.  I had gone to church by myself that morning.  My teacher was ending his lesson and said something that caught my attention.  Actually, he more than caught my attention.  His words brought me to tears and made me have to catch my breath.

He said, "If you're praying for something and you've never accepted Jesus as your Savior, He does not and cannot hear you".

I'll never forget the words. 

I had been sending up some really big prayers, you see.  How could He not hear me?

None of it became clear to me immediately, and wouldn't for years to come.  However, walking from that class into the Sanctuary, I felt like I had heard about Salvation for the very first time.  How on earth had I been going to this church for so long and not heard about Salvation?

The only explanation I have come up with is we don't get saved when we want to.  Jesus draws us to Himself through His Holy Spirit and doesn't guarantee to always speak to us about accepting Him.

January 5th was my day.

I sat through service that morning as if I was hearing everything for the first time.  I couldn't wait for the invitation.  I wasn't even sure what I was suppose to do or say.  I just knew I wanted a Savior.  A new life.  One that I had been reading about in my brand new Bible, my first Bible, I had gotten for Christmas just days before.

As I walked the aisle and talked to my Pastor, I must have sounded flustered.  He asked me to wait for him on the front pew until everyone had left the church.  He sat with me and talked about Jesus and a new life with Him. 

I prayed there and asked Jesus into my heart. 

January 5, 1992.

21 years old.

I haven't always lived the way I should over the past nineteen years.  In fact, it would be a little over 5 years after accepting Christ that I would begin to understand what living a life for Him meant.  I started allowing God to take away things in my life that didn't honor Him and replace them with Bible Study, church and fellowship with other believers.

I don't remember the words I prayed that day.  I only know the date because I wrote it in my Bible and think of it every year. But, I've always thought a person should remember where he or she was when they received Christ as Savior.

The apostle Paul recounts his 'place' over and over in Scripture - always testifying to how Jesus saved Him on the road to Damascus from a wicked, meaningless life. 

My place was on the front pew of East Hickory Baptist Church, Hickory, NC.

Because Christ lives in my heart and because I want a life where He is the center, we do have conversations.  He does speak to me and best of all, He hears me.  I can talk to Him each morning, direct my prayer to Him and look up in expectation that He is sending an answer.

We have a relationship.  I set my affections towards Him (Colossians 3:1-3) and He sets His towards me (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).

Like the quote above, I'm not what I should be.  Apart from Jesus Christ, I am nothing.  Because of His grace, I am forgiven and promised eternal life.

Hear me when I say .... apart from Jesus Christ, you do not have eternal life either.  He is the only way (John 14:6).

What about you? Where is your place? 

 ^"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"

Ephesians 2:8

 ^"But by the grace of God I am what I am:

and his grace which was bestowed

upon me was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

Just Another Snow Day

Our school is on a 3 hour delay today.  For Olivia and me, that means no school.  No complaints here.  Emma really wants to go because she was supppose to have her first-ever Spelling Bee on Monday.  We're afraid it's canceled completely.  We'll see.

The girls are still working hard on their playhouse.  They wake up  and color.  Even through sleepy eyes.

I tried to take a nice peaceful walk yesterday.

The woods behind my house look so beautiful with the snow.

I was trying to take it all in ..... praying, and trying to lighten my mood at little.

But, I had Sadie with me.

See her? She's wearing me out, y'all.  Sweet puppy wasn't sweet yesterday.  She kept wrapping herself around every tree and branch having to be untangled.  Mood kill.

Emma and Olivia continued to play hotel all day.  Yes, ALL DAY.

Eric 'checked in' around 6:00 last night when he finally made it in from out of town.  The hotel manager (aka:  Emma) even put chocolates by his bed (and a dollar? Do you get that at your hotel?)

(Yes, that's Eric's Bible Study book.  He's doing To Live Is Christ.  He's a closet-women's-bible-study-taker :)

Olivia was exhausted from the day.  I found her like this while I was making dinner.

It's tough working at a hotel and decorating houses all day.