You Were MADE For Joy

The holiday season seems to bring out the best and worst in people. It seems to be a very high-strung season with lots of stress culminating from shopping, traveling, and spending time with family (yes, that can be stressful too!). Last year, I did NOT cope well with the holidays. I had to tell myself to just chill out. I was trying to be a Perfect Pinterest Mom and my unofficial Holiday Bucket List was too long for me to cope with. (This is why I never do holiday bucket lists - they stress me out!)

How so many of you lovely ladies are doing different daily activities for Advent with your families boggles my mind and stresses me out, even though I'm not doing it! I think it's wonderful and can bring a family together...but it's just not for me. I'm more of a "go with the flow" kind of girl when it comes to bucket lists. I have items on my imaginary list...but I do them at my own pace and have learned not to freak out if it doesn't get done.

On Sunday at church, our pastor gave a wonderful sermon about joy. And I have to share it with you. In light of everything that happened last week in Connecticut, remember that you were made for joy.

---

"The good news is that God made you for joy.

God didn’t make you to fret and worry and think dark thoughts. God did not make you for fear. God made you for peace and love and light and joy and laughter.

You were made for joy!

This may seem like strange news in our world where we suffer tragic – sometimes senseless – events – but it is still the news I want to bring you today – and every day.

God didn’t make you to fret and worry and think dark thoughts. God did not make you for fear. God made you for peace and love and light and joy and laughter.

You were made for joy!


You know — Paul understood the good news that we are created for joy. He writes in the passage before us today from Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You may hear these words and want to respond:

Rejoice?
Really?
Are you kidding me?
For what reason?
Does Paul have any idea of what’s going on in our lives and in our world?
Rejoice – always? 
   
As unrealistic as Paul’s advice may have seemed to the Philippians, just think how unrealistic it may have sounded coming from someone in Paul’s situation. When Paul wrote these words he was in prison and was, in effect, on death row. He was literally chained to a Roman soldier and guarded day and night, awaiting his execution. And yet he could write:

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything

You know — it takes a special kind of faith to proclaim joy in dire circumstances. It takes the kind of faith that comes from living in the center of God’s will and love.
You and I were made for such faith and for such joy.

God didn’t make you to fret and worry and think dark thoughts. God did not make you for fear. God made you for peace and love and light and joy and laughter.

So – maybe we need to look at what keeps us from rejoicing all the time and under every circumstance.

What is it that robs you of your joy?
Does news of senseless killings steal your joy?

The news of senseless killings can make us feel sad for those affected and even afraid about our own lives. Senseless killings can kill your joy and even make you to wonder about God’s presence and God’s care for you. When you see pictures of scared children leaving a school that has turned into a horror scene you might begin to question God, and lose all sense of joy.

Another thing that can rob you of your joy is fear for what might happen in your life.

Are you worried about your life?

Maybe you are one of those people who worry over things in life. Maybe you tend to fret over minor things. Maybe it is the little things that tie you up in knots, little things that are easily fixable with time but will worry you until then.

Some people lose their joy because they are continually comparing their lives with others, and they don’t focus on their blessings but on what others have that they don’t have.            
Do you remember the first thing that the angel said to the shepherds watching over their flocks that first Christmas night? The first thing the angel said to them was:

 “Fear not.”

That’s an important word for us as we approach this year’s celebration of Christmas and try to deal with senseless tragedies in the world. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of the violence. Don’t be afraid of the future with its uncertainties. God is with you in all situations, and God holds the future in His Almighty hands. God will not let you down. And don’t be afraid that somehow your life doesn’t measure up. God loves you just as you are.
           
The second thing the angel said was, “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy . . .” 

Christmas was never intended to be a season of anxiety, but a season of joy.
Christians were never meant to live lives of anxiety, but lives of joy. 
God didn’t make you to fret and worry and think dark thoughts. God did not make you for fear. God made you for peace and love and light and joy and laughter.

You were made for joy! 

That’s why Paul’s words from Philippians are so appropriate for the third Sunday of Advent, and this weekend when we mourn with the people in Connecticut:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Here is the reason you can have light and hope and joy: A Savior has been born.

Friends – particularly during this Advent and Christmas season, we need to rejoice. Don’t worry about your future this Advent season. God is in control of that.  

Don’t worry about disappointing your family or your friends. Find simple ways to let them know you love them. That is the greatest gift you can give them.  That is the gift God gave us in the stable of Bethlehem.

Here – now – rejoice!
All the time.
Under every circumstance.
Always.
Rejoice."

[Source]

"Futurist Faith Popcorn says that one possible downside of the Internet is the development of what she calls Comparative Anxiety. She says the Internet has created a networked world that allows everybody to compare everything --- instantly.

• How much money are you making compared to people your own age who graduated from the same college you did?
• How many words does your baby know versus millions of babies her exact age, around the world?

She predicts that this ability to benchmark yourself in seconds with others will create an increasing epidemic of comparative anxiety a national wave of insecurity.

Is that what is robbing you of your joy comparing yourself with others?"

[Source]
----

Isn't that so true for us as bloggers and blog readers? How often do you let yourself fall victim to this "comparative anxiety"? Let us not get caught up in the anxiety that this time of year can bring. Don't worry. Cast your anxiety on to Him.

I know this blog post isn't all my words, but I didn't know how else to word it or summarize it...it was written perfectly as it was. You were made for joy. REJOICE!

Tuesday's Child is Full of Grace

You've all heard the poem Monday's Child at some point in your life, right? Well, if not, or if it's been awhile, here's a reminder:

Monday's child is fair of face, 

Tuesday's child is full of grace, 

Wednesday's child is full of woe, 

Thursday's child has far to go, 

Friday's child is loving and giving, 

Saturday's child works hard for his living, 

And the child that is born on the Sabbath day 

Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

I don't know why, but when I was in labor that poem came into my head, knowing that Ethan was going to be a Tuesday's child. The topic of grace had been on my mind and I feel like it was the theme for Ethan's birthday: grace.

Grace - an undeserved favor or gift; the undeserved forgiveness, kindness and mercy that God gives us (NIV).

The miracle of making, growing, and giving birth to a baby will always blow my mind. It truly does feel like an "undeserved gift" from God. I'm so blessed that He chose me to be Braden & Ethan's mother.

When I went into labor on October 16th in the middle of the night...the roads were clear. The weather was perfect...by the grace of God.

When I went into labor, my in-laws were out of province (they were going to take care of Braden for us), but my own mother was already here, ready to take care of Braden...by the grace of God.

My mom had a prior commitment on Ethan's birthday that was cancelled...by the grace of God.

My friend Samantha was able to come and be a support and document Ethan's birth for us with amazing pictures in the middle of the night...by the grace of God. 

When my goal of delivering Ethan naturally again was in doubt, I went from 6 cm to birth in 1/2 an hour...by the grace of God.

When the anesthetist was drawing up the medication for my spinal, I suddenly felt the urge to push, thus fulfilling my desires and hopes to give birth naturally...by the grace of God.

This was God's plan for us all along. I've learned over the last 6 months to fully trust in His plan for me. I may not understand it, or like it, but in the end I know it's what's best. Especially since Ethan's birth, winter has come full force and the roads have been absolutely awful at times.

I may not have had the car seat installed, my vehicle cleaned out, and a heck of a lot more on my to do list done...but I wouldn't rather have it any other way!

Discipline Your Children, God Wants You To!

Now what better reason could I give you than "God wants you to"!? On Wednesday I finished my 3rd bible study with the #SheReadsTruth community. I read the whole book of Proverbs, all 31 chapters - one chapter a day. I have learned more than a few valuable lessons from Proverbs, and yet again I find it changing me to my core, and I hope to re-read my journal and just let it sink in over and over again.

I have said it before, and I'll say it again - one of the things that scares the daylights out of me is raising Christian children. Maybe other Christian families don't give it another thought and just go about their ways raising their little believers...but for me, I've thought long and hard about it since I was pregnant with Braden. I think God was speaking to both me and Jay, when Braden was 6 months old, 1 week before we had him dedicated, He said we needed to dedicate ourselves to Him again. Jay was called to be baptized and I reaffirmed my faith, as I was baptized as an infant. Raising a child seems like a lot of pressure, but Proverbs has eased my anxieties and I think we're doing a pretty good job raising Braden. I want to share with you some of my favorite scriptures on parenting:

That one, right there...my favorite on parenting. It affirmed everything that I have been doing with Braden and I'm happy that I'm doing the right thing. My study bible goes on to say:

The greatest responsibility that God gives parents is the nurture and guidance of their children. Lack of discipline shows lack of concern for their character development. Without correction, children don't know right from wrong and don't have direction. Do not be afraid to discipline your children. It is an act of love. Encourage your children to seek God's wisdom above all else! The wisdom they learn must be taught - they don't just absorb it.

Can I get a "hallelujah"?! I am SUCH a firm believer that children do need our guidance. If we let our kids run the household...how will they ever learn? How will they ever fit in a structured environment like school and eventually work? I'm not Super Strict Mom, but I definitely have expectations of my 2.5 year old, and they started long before he was this age. And? He's turning out to be a very polite and well-mannered little boy. At the end of the day...he's still 2. He's still a toddler and there's no way I can expect perfection, but every week I see improvements in his listening and following direction. If he doesn't clean up his toys? I take them away for a day or two, I've only had to do this twice. If he doesn't listen after a few times of me asking, he gets a 2 minute time out and knows to say "sorry, Mommy" after and then we hug it out. He even has daily chores, which he loves doing.

I do not see chores as punishment, as some do, I believe they teach value and respecting property. Who liked chores growing up? Not me! But I dusted, I vacuumed, I cleaned up my room (this may have gone went wayward as a teenager, a bit!) but now? I appreciate those lessons my mom taught me and my grandma taught her. Now as an adult and the motherly head of my own household? I cherish and value my CLEAN home more than ever, and I have my mom to thank for that.

I also think it's extremely important, for my family, to have our kids sit through church service. At least for the first half when we are singing & praying before the sermon starts. This is discipline. This is structure. Is Braden perfect all the time? Heck no. I've had to leave church all together with him twice this year because he was an overtired mess who wasn't happy in the sanctuary or the play room and just wanted to run around like a Crazy Toddler while the pastor was preaching. BUT, we are trying to set the foundation for him.

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (NIV)

Discipline your children while you still have a chance; indulging them destroys them. (MSG)

Proverbs 19:18

Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 -- Proverbs 22:6

Parents should discern the individuality and special strengths God gives each one. We can better discern and develop the individual capabilities of each child by talking to others. Teach your children how to make decisions - then you don't have to watch every step they take. We then will know they will remain on the right path because they made the choice themselves - train them to choose the right way. [source]

I know there isn't a manual that comes with each individual child when they're born (though, how awesome would that be!?), but it's nice to have the Word to rely on and affirm to me that we're doing right by Braden...so far!

On How Not To Be a Gossip Girl

Ever since Day #14 of the #SheReadsTruth study in Living the Surrendered life, I have been feeling convicted of falling into what seems to be the norm of gossiping and being negative.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

-- Ephesians 4:29

[source]

This scripture has been on my brain ever since I read it back in July. As part of the devotional, the author challenged us to go for ONE DAY without saying anything negative, rude, sarcastic, or hurtful to anyone OR about anyone, and at the end of the day, evaluate. Do you know how hard that is? Wow. I tried it once and just couldn't. I have since made a conscious effort to proverbially bite my tongue and have withheld saying a lot of things I would normally say or comment on. But it.is.hard people!

So why does it feel so good to "vent"? Part of me feels that saying certain things or "venting" to certain people that I can confide in and trust is a necessary part of my sanity. I should be just doing my venting to God, but sometimes I just need the support of my husband, mom, sister-in-law on certain things, you know?

I feel that our Proverbs study has really reiterated the gossip issues again with me, and it seems the answer is right in front of me again as I scan my journal for this post:

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

-- Proverbs 10:18

By hating another person - you become a liar or a fool. If you slander and are wrong - you are a fool. Therefore, admit your hateful feelings to God and pray He changes your heart and help you to LOVE instead of HATE.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

-- Proverbs 11:13

I need to focus more on being trustworthy and showing integrity. I believe I do hold these qualities but I need to practice them always and not fall into the gossip game. I often find this is hardest at work. I work with 100% female nurses and a mix of male and female physicians. Nurses love to gossip and vent about patients. I have been much better at work on not falling into the gossip, but it is a hard conversation to avoid and I'm not 100% there yet, by any means. A nice, long maternity leave should help though!

The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

-- Proverbs 12:13 (MSG)

Insecure or uncertain people feel the need to prove themselves. If you can control your tongue, you can control the rest of your body! Think before you act and speak. My study bible says to spend time with people you want to be like...and I can't agree more. Evil people are like poison and their thoughts and words just make me sick.

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and gossip separates close friends.  

-- Proverbs 16:28

Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip. 

-- Proverbs 17:4 (MSG)

Even a fool is wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

-- Proverbs 17:28 

Gossip, gossip, gossip! See! It's all over Proverbs! How can it not be on my heart? But as my study bible states "It often takes the heat of trials for the Christian to be purified. Through trials God shows us what is in us and clears out anything that gets in the way of complete trust in Him. When tough times come your way, realize God wants us to use them to refine your faith and purify your heart. When we ridicule people....we ridicule God - He make them!"

"It is as hard not to listen to gossip, as it is to turn down delicious dessert. Just one taste of either creats a taste for more. RESIST THE RUMORS - DON'T BITE!" [also from my study bible].

Raechel put it really well on her Proverbs 17 post on the #SheReadsTruth website yesterday:

"Some of the people I respect the most are the ones who say the least. They're the ones who pause for a moment when you ask them a question before they respond."

Thanks again for following me on my journey! Have you joined this wonderful community? I'd love to read your stories!

Proverbs are Good for My Whole Family

So the ladies at #SheReadsTruth put together their 4th (my 3rd) bible study. We got August long weekend off from studies, which was really nice, and then we started a 31 day plan of reading Proverbs together. It's been on my heart a lot that I need to read Proverbs, so this was just perfect!

So I learned me a little bit about Proverbs. Solomon wrote these proverbs so we would know how to live well and right and to understand what life means and where it's going. It is a manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair. They give us a grasp on reality.

Where did I get those wise words from? I wish I could take credit for coming up with that, but my new best friend in my bible studies is my Life Application Study Bible NIV, Personal Size. I cannot remember who it was on my #SheReadsTruth journeys who recommended this to me, but I LOVE it and will use it for years and years to come! It really breaks things down in "simple" language and terms that are more understandable to me. It points things out in the Word that I may have skipped over. I highly recommend it!

So we start Proverbs 1 with this amazingly powerful scripture, verse 7:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

The first week of Proverbs I'm learning a lot about Godly Wisdom. I have often wondered to myself "how am I going to raise Christian children?" Seriously! Braden has wonderful role models all around him and I love love love the fellowship and community at our little church and I really do trust them in helping us raise our kids, "it takes a village", as they say. But in my study bible it says,

Children learn values, morals, and priorities by observing how their parents act and react everyday. Let them see your reverence for God.

Braden loves church. He did really well for a 2 year old in Sunday School, he loves his children's bible and even pointed out that "Noah's Ark" is his "favowit stowy" the other night which absolutely made my soul smile. A little more on parenting in Proverbs 4 from my study bible is:

One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to encourage their children to become wise. Wisdom can be passed, but all wisdom comes from God. Learn from the Scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children. If you want wisdom - GO AFTER IT!

We are creating a legacy for our children. How awesome is that? And yet so scary at the same time! Then in Proverbs 6 it tells us that as children grow increasingly independent with their age - which is a good thing - as they become young adults is when they need our advice, our wisdom, the most. I'm so scared to have teenagers, let's not even go there quite yet!

So we're learning about wisdom and we're also learning a lot about temptation. The Word brings up the word "fool" a lot. I can't help but think of my dad. God is teaching me more and more everyday on how I can handle the situation with my dad. I feel that Satan is trying to drive a wedge, not only between me and my relationship with God, but also between my dad and all my family members. I am stronger, I will keep praying, and it's just not going to happen.

My son, pay close attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, so that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 

Proverbs 5:1-2 NIV

And in The Message: You will acquire a taste for good sense and what God tells you will keep you out of trouble. We need to concentrate on the desires that keep us on a straight path. Don't get sidetracked by people and detours that lead us to sin.

Do what I say and you will live well. My teaching is as precious as your eye sight - GUARD IT! Write it on the back of your hands; etch it in the chambers of your heart.

Proverbs 7:2-3 MSG

What scares me the most about my dad, is that without an aim in life or direction, an empty life is unstable, and vulnerable to many temptations. To combat temptation make sure your life is full of God's Word and wisdom! In spite of his anger and his seemingly doubtful attitude towards faith and Christianity, I know it is buried way down deep within him, so I have made it very clear that I will keep praying for him and that I will send him Scripture if God wills me to do so. I want him to know that through God there is always hope.

Yesterday in church I felt compelled to share my story again. The leader at the service wanted us to share encouragement or any stories from the summer. I bravely stood up in front of the congregation and told them, as I had before, that a long story short - my dad is an alcoholic. I told them about you, about the amazing #SheReadsTruth community that I have been involved in over the last 7 weeks. I said that my dad is spiraling downwards and is the worst he's ever been. It's scary for me and my family, he is being a bully and causing such hurt and pain among us. But my light is the relationship I've formed with my Heavenly Father. I've said it so many times that I need Him now more than ever when my dad isn't present in my life anymore. I'm so thankful that God has drawn me so close when my dad has pushed me so far away. I shared this to share how happy I was, in spite of all the crazy going on with my dad. I am truly thankful for everything that God has given me (1 Thessalonians 5:17). My amazing father-in-law, and a lot of other members of the church, came up and prayed over me. I felt so refreshed and could feel my anxieties being lifted from me. He also prayed for my dad and that he would turn to God.

The "funny" thing is, we had just gotten a voicemail from my dad that morning telling us "tell Sarah to send me all the Scripture she wants" in a mean, sarcastic kind of way. So when I feel compelled to, I certainly will. He called Jay 3 times when I was sharing my story and being prayed for. He cannot crush my spirit, God is making it stronger in me.

Thanks again, for reading...if you've managed to get to the end! :)

Keepin' It Real With #SheReadsTruth

Friends, this journey that I'm on...I need it. I can't put it any other way - I.need.this. In my life...right now.

A term I would never imagined I would think of using - estranged - now describes the relationship between me and my dad. I haven't seen him for almost 6 months and I'm at an unfortunate part for my own sanity that I can no longer even communicate with him. Text messages are blocked, emails are blocked, and I don't even have voicemail on my phone because I do not want to hear "it". He is sick, very sick mentally. It's at a point where no matter what I (or anyone else, for that matter) says or does, he will not listen and he does what he wants anyway. There comes a point where if you stick around, you end up hurting yourself and enabling the behavior.

I haven't done a #SheReadsTruth update in awhile. I could do a full-on post every day, but I am really enjoying this intimate relationship with God that I'm forming and I feel that so much of it is private. I finished the first "Living The Surrendered Life" study a couple of weeks ago, and dove right into the next 21 day "Prayer" study which is currently on day 19. I thought I'd share with you some highlights of my "Prayer" study and why I need this in my life right now.

As I said, my dad is ill. He has a disease. Not many people consider alcoholism to be a disease, but it is defined as one, and as an ER nurse I see it in my profession on a daily basis. He has said and done some very hurtful things to me and my family in the past week...perhaps some irreparable damage. One thing he texted to Jay that struck me to my core was "tell Sarah to pray all she wants." He knows I am a Christian and that my faith is growing. I've sent him scripture through the course of my involvement in his disease for the last 1.5 years. The last good talk I had with him was after I had read Romans 12:12. I told him he needed to be joyful in hope, patient in his suffering, and faithful in his prayer. Only God could help him, but he had to try and help himself too. I would email him certain scriptures I had come across over this study but wouldn't hear back. Until that text. Ouch. That was my first reaction - ouch. He's making fun of me? He doesn't believe in the power of prayer? I have spent the last 19 days learning about and appreciating prayer more than I ever thought I was capable of. I do my studies in the evening. Braden is asleep, it's quiet and calm and I can focus on Him. You know what the scripture was that night?

 

As I opened up my YouVersion Bible app (you need this app - seriously!) I had it set on The Message version of the bible, and I needed to read it in those words. PRAY ALL THE TIME! THIS IS THE WAY GOD WANTS ME TO LIVE! Wow. I smiled a big smile...then cried tears of joy and showed Jay my phone. "He can't bring me down with his words." I told Jay. "I'll never stop praying!" And I won't. I'll never stop praying for my dad. Jay told me that God tells us what we need to hear, when we need to hear it...boy was he ever right. Bless my husband!

I am still using my "Grateful" app. Not as faithfully as I should, I really need to remind myself to try and do it every night, because there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for at the end of every day, even if it's a bad day, there's always something! Many of the scriptures have a recurring theme of "cry out to the Lord". Let me tell you, I've been crying out and He is listening AND answering. When I first started this study I felt totally lost without the devotional. It was just scripture and I was left to my own devices as to what to make of it. As I chatted with some of the #SheReadsTruth ladies via the Instagram feed, I learned to look at different versions of the scripture - The Message, NIV, KJV, etc...and it's amazing how the same message can be conveyed so clearly in a different wording of it! I thought it would be over my head...me trying to interpret the Word all by my lonesome! But you know what? It's not intimidating anymore and I don't have to "cheat" and look what others are saying, though I still like to see how they interpret it too.

God spoke to me again this week, words that I needed to read. For my life and understanding about my dad right now. This was Saturday, Day 17's scripture:

Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you -- the less you speak, the better. Overwork makes for restless sleep. Over talk shows you up as a fool. When you tell God you'll do something, do it -- now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up. Don't let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won't get by with "Sorry, I didn't mean it." Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation? But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk, there's always this rock foundation: Fear God!

-- Ecclesiates 5:2-7 (MSG)

Don't run your mouth - the less you speak - the better. God is in charge - not you! Another big THANK YOU for having this study in my life. I don't think I could have found more perfect scripture if I tried. God is working wonders in my life, and that is why I am so at peace with my life. I'm not happy about the relationship my dad has created between us and the rest of our family, but it is out of my control, and knowing that it is in God's hands is pretty much the only thing getting me through it.

I have been reading my bible and doing devotionals for 40 days now. This something I've been striving for and felt that I have needed, and as I said when this started, it was an answer to my prayers!

Thank you for reading this, if you have. It's something I've been waiting for the right moment to share, and God is telling me that now is the time.

Giveaway: babEblessings

Awhile ago, this sweet Ontario girl emailed me and asked me if she could send Squishy a gift. She said she found something that was just perfect for Squishy. I felt immediate gratitude that one of my brand new readers was thinking of me and my little one while out shopping one day - how special! I gave her my address and a couple of weeks later, came this beautiful bib & onesie "Future Farmer" set. I sent her back a thank you card, and we've been friends ever since.

This lovely lady that I am telling you about is Jacqueline from babEblessings. Jac is the person who got me into #SheReadsTruth and I know that God brought her into my life for a reason. Over the last many weeks I've gotten to know Jac better and better and when she asked me to share her work on my blog, I was more than thrilled to be a part of this.

She sent me her first set of mini prints and 2 bookmarks. One of my bookmarks lives in my #SheReadsTruth journal, a prayer that she wrote at the top of her first #SheReadsTruth study journal. It's a wonderful thing to pray to God before we read His Word. The prints are fabulous. I know that I will gift some, frame some, and keep some around the house. She is amazingly talented and I just love the work that God is doing through her!

I know you want some of these beauties...and you're in luck! It's your chance to be blessed with God's word in your homes and share with others.

• Please head on over to her site and the first 10 people to comment will automatically receive 2 of her wonderful bookmarks
• You can also win it big with a set of mini prints and bookmarks by entering in the Rafflecopter below!
• Jac also just opened up her Etsy shop if you would like to purchase prints, take advantage of her opening sale of 30% off your order with code RELAUNCH
• I would also love to share Jac's work and pay it forward, so for the first 3 people who leave a comment and share with me their favorite verse...I will send you a print that she sent to me!

 I'm so blessed to be getting to know these lovely ladies and am honored to be included in this giveaway!

More #SheReadsTruth

With the supportive response I got from last week's #SheReadsTruth post, I really wanted to share with you more of my journey and what's happened the last week of my devotionals.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

-- Ezekiel 36:26

From the devotional:   
"We think we have some sort of 'divine' power to change a person. That if we do the right things or are nice enough that maybe someone will 'come to their senses' and change."
I had never read or heard of that verse before, but now it's one of my favorites. It comforts me beyond words, again in the situation with my dad. It just affirms to me that I cannot change anyone - I am no match for the pwoer of God. I do believe that He prompts me to speak the truth in someone's life...but this does not guarantee that it will change a person - as ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE A PERSON.

For those who love their sin - pray that they develop a hatred for it.
For those who have turned from their faith, pray for return to HIm.

I don't try to fix or change people anymore. I used to - guilty as charged. Over the recent year or so...I have lived this and pray this for many people around me. Now, I just pray. Pray to let their anger go away, their problems, their hatred, their addiction, their blame, their lies. Following that devotional, appropriately came this scripture:

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

-- 2 Corinthians 7:10

We're all sinners. We are still responsible for us - no matter who did what first. Like I said before, I'm very "new" to this. To get a better understanding of this I had to look up the definitions in the back of my bible and it really made more sense to me after:

• REPENTANCE - To turn away from sin; to be sorry for what one has doeneand to promise not to do it again.
• SALVATION - Deliverance from the guilt & power of sin. By his death and resurrection Jesus brings salvation to people who believe in him.

I know I've said it before, but - wow. Just wow. How do you even grasp that. I sure can't, not yet anyway. And more from 2 Corinthians:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

"His mercies are new every morning. Repent your sin. Receive the forgiveness offered to you and proclaim God's faithfulness for the rest of your days."


As I read and studies the devotionals for days 9 & 10, I couldn't help but feel that God was speaking to me about my dad. I did share these scriptures with him and have no idea if he got them, but I felt that I had to send them his way just in case.


I could share so so so much more, but they're more intimate moments that I've had that are just for me. It's never to late to join #SheReadsTruth! I hope you do!

I've also linked this up with #SheShares a new link up and great way to connect with the ladies participating in #SheReadsTruth every Friday!

My Life is Changing #SheReadsTruth

I am now 1 week into my first devotional & bible study. I wrote last week that it was an answer to my prayers. I've wanted to learn more about His Word and start reading my bible that Jay bought for me 5 years ago before we got married...and to live it. This group of ladies who started this devotional are changing my life.

I am a new person in how I'm handling life's situations. I'm not perfect, I never will be. I will fault, I will need to be reminded of the things I've learned and read this last week. But this is exactly what I need right now.

I haven't been very vocal about a lot of aspects in my life. I mostly share pictures and stories of Braden and our family life...but I have mentioned before that my relationship with my dad isn't the greatest right now. Without diving into details, my Heavenly Father has taught me that when my earthly father disappoints me, He is here for me always.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. -- Psalm 27:10

That was actually scripture that leapt off the page to me at my retreat and it's comforted me so much. But I'm dealing with this situation with my dad so much better than I have in the past. God has reminded me this week of Matthew 6:34 again, not to "worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself". The lady who wrote this devotional stated:

Worry is just a smaller way to say 'we don't know if God will come through'. The 'worry monster' is our spiritual enemy.

How true! My favorite verse of scripture that I've ever come across is Proverbs 3:5-6 which we studied on day 2:

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.

It comforts me beyond words that I can type that God has a plan for me and that he will always keep His word to me. As in Phillipians 1:6 I am "trusting that He has began a good work in me and will carry it on to completion". I am learning to be content. I am learning to be grateful. Now every night before bed I list on my new app on my iPhone everything that I am grateful for that day. I am reminded to be faithful in prayer.

Day 6 changed me. There is a light shining in my life that was not there before.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. -- Romans 12:12

If my dad still reads this blog, I pray that those words will leap off the screen and hit him. I honestly had to look up the definition of "affliction" so I had a better grasp. Know what it means?

• Be patient in PAIN
• Be patient in DISTRESS
• Be patient in GRIEF
• Be patient in MISERY
• Be patient in SUFFERING

The writer of this devotional then states "patience is waiting without complaining". What a concept! Easier said than done, especially when it happens to you. I get that. I understand...and I have been there. But being able to pray to God in our times of affliction and try to be patient in His plan for us. Wow. What else is there to say - WOW!

It eases my anxiety greatly in this situation right now, knowing that I can "cast all my anxeity on Him because he cares for me" 1 Peter 5. He wants to do that for me, and it it is so overwhelming to feel such love from my Heavenly Father.

---

I know that's deep. I kind of rambled and jumped back and forth in my post. I know that not all of you are Christian, "religious", have faith...whatever way you want to put it. I haven't always in my life. But my spiritual self is growing and learning in leaps and bounds, and I had to share. And well....I can....cuz it's my blog! :)

Are you participating in "Living the Surrendered Life" with #SheReadsTruth?

An Answer to My Prayers #SheReadsTruth

Ever since I went to my retreat, I've been longing to learn and live His Word. I want to know it, breathe it, live it. I just know I'll be a better woman for it. A better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. So the answer to my prayers? #SheReadsTruth.

I follow Maggie and my new friend Jacqueline on Instagram and have followed the pictures from their studies on their first plan, which finished yesterday. I have always been hesitant to join a bible study, but was so eager to do this one when I got back from my retreat...but I wanted to do it "live" and participate with other ladies doing it. Well, their new plan starts today! It's called "Living the Surrendered Life" and I hope that I can inspire you to join me. It's a 21 day plan, we can all spare what I've been told takes about 20 minutes to read our bibles every day & journal our thoughts for 3 weeks. It's very easy and convenient to join:

• If you have a SmartPhone, download the free Bible app from YouVersion and make a free account, go into "Plans" and search through the devotional section for "Living the Surrendered Life" it's #12 on the list
• If you don't have a Smart Phone, or you prefer, you can follow the new plan online here.
• If you are on Instagram or Twitter follow @SheReadsTruth and participate in the community by using the hashtag #SheReadsTruth

Hope to learn and live with you! This is all new to me, so I am ready to dive in with the support of all these wonderful Christian ladies!

Hearing God's Voice

I got a text from Laura a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to go to the ladies retreat. By retreat, I immediately thought "a weekend away from the guys! Just a weekend for me, how wonderful!" Little did I really know, it would be a forever life-changing weekend where I would connect with God in no way that I had ever before.

It was a retreat away for women only at a bible camp at a lake that our church supports. This was the 45th ladies retreat and I'm so glad that I was called to be a part of it. The theme for the weekend was "Hearing God's Voice". I had often wondered in my journey with God if I had ever really "heard" Him. Part of me just assumed that hearing Him, was literally so. Like one of my mental health patients hearing voices! I know many people do literally hear God's voice, but the wonderful speaker of the weekend - Carrie - who will be a lifelong friend (and hopefully mentor), opened up my eyes, ears, and all my senses really. She taught me that God speaks to us in many ways, and He had been speaking to me my whole life. I always assumed that "everything happens for a reason" and I do believe that, but now I know it's because it's God's plan for me and that is the reason why I make the decisions that I do and why things happen to me the way they do in my life.

That was our verse of the weekend. We kept going back to it in our exercises during sermon. I will never forget it, and it was so true for me that weekend. God spoke to me through Carrie, our speaker, in so many ways. I was doing a new thing. This was SO new for me. I stepped way out of my comfort zone and truly was a Christian in front of women who had been Christians...worshiping and praising their whole lives! Carrie asked Jesus into her heart when she was 3.5 years old. So young! I can't even remember being that young!  My journey with God has been wonderful, but very unique. Perhaps I will share more on that later, but for now I just want to share a bit about this weekend.

I learned that He speaks to us through songs, prayers of others, His creation - the sky, bird songs, flowers, trees, through books, through our partners, our friends...our children. Wow, does God even speak to me through Braden. Every time I look at him I never take for granted what a true blessing and a miracle he is to me.

I am a forever changed for the better woman. I truly heard his voice that weekend and want to learn his word. Another verse that really hit me, that I really needed to see was this:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Matthew 6:25

It was a verse we were to read as part of our exercises, but it spoke to me so much and I needed to read that. I have been struggling so much with body image and nutrition this pregnancy and it has really bothered me. I don't want to feel this way, but I do. Dreading potential stretch marks, dreading the number that the scale reads as it is happening so much faster this time, feeling guilty about not eating as healthy as I could be, not exercising as much. That verse hit me, and it hit me hard. It doesn't mean I get a free pass and that I can stuff my face full of Laura's delicious cinnamon buns, but I just needed it.

Isn't this camp so peaceful and serene. It was perfect. I was surrounded by amazing women, including my amazingly wonderful sister-in-law Laura and my beautiful friend Sam. These two know more about me now on my journey with God that I knew before this weekend. I'm not going to share everything that happened, but I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone if He calls you to!

One Week In

Yesterday at church, the lady leading the service asked us if we wanted to share any praises or good that we had witnessed or that had happened to us the last week. I was very close to standing up to say:

"A week ago today, I stood here in tears. I was emotional (and probably hormonal!) and was so sad to see my "baby" growing up so fast. He sprung this milestone of getting rid of his crib and moving him into a toddler bed that day, and I felt like I wasn't ready. It seems so trivial and insignificant, to the bigger battles people are facing in this room and in the world today, but it scared me and all I could think of were the bad things. That he wasn't going to be a good sleeper anymore, that he'd wake up at night, that it would be a mess. But God provides. Even in the smallest and seemingly most insignificant moments in our lives. I leaned on Him, I prayed a week ago today as I held a sleeping Braden in my arms, that God would be with him, to give us both strength so that we could get through this new time in our lives. It was such a big change, but God provided, and this last week went better than I ever could have imagined."

But I didn't. I know the people in our church would welcome any story of praise, or any story that we wanted to share, but I just kept it to myself and silently thanked Him for comforting in my time of need. Braden has been sleeping wonderfully. The first 3 nights I stayed with him until he fell asleep, but ever since then, he has fallen asleep on his own. Last night he was so tired, it was the first night that he went to bed, stayed in bed, and went right to sleep.

Naps. Are a different story. He's only had 2 naps this entire week, and only because I've stayed with him and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. This is NOT a habit I want to get into, so from now on I'm going to leave him to his own devices and just pray that he is tired enough to learn to nap on his own. Has NOT happened yet, even on his most tired days, he just won't settled. Still hoping the novelty of his new freedom will wear off, like it has at night, and he will just want to and need to nap eventually. I know he's not ready to give up naps, but maybe he will just "make" himself not need to nap? Oh well, no other solution really

I am still thankful every day that we sleep trained Braden. I know it's not for everyone, but without good sleep, me, Jay, & Braden would NOT function well together.

Sunday Blessings

I love going to worship on Sunday. Now that Braden is in Sunday school, one of us gets to pay attention to the sermon every other Sunday while the other takes Braden to Sunday school. It's really very lovely! I'm so blessed to have my church family in my life, and when a group like this is leading the service...how do I not share a verse of these songs?

Be Thou My Vision


I love going to church in such a musically talented community, it's such a wonderful, wonderful thing! Hope you had a wonderful Sunday! Many new posts to come this week!

Lent

[source]

In church yesterday, we were reminded that Ash Wednesday is upon us - the beginning of Lent. Lent, as defined by Wikipedia is:

"Lent also known as Quadragesima (Latin: Forty) is the Christian observance of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

The traditional purpose of Lent is the penitential preparation of the believer – through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday which then culminates in Easter Sunday, marking the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Often as believers it is a time that we can give up a "vice" to participate in Lent. I know it may not be the most meaningful thing to do, but I've decided to give up two things this year.

1. Facebook
2. Technology during family time

I have mentioned before my growing dislike of Facebook. I have chopped down my Facebook "friends" from 200+ to just 57. I figure if we truly are friends, you'll keep in touch with me not only on Facebook, but in our day to day real life too. I have deleted all but 2 of my high school friends, only my close work colleagues that I've kept in touch with, and of course my university friends. I find it only truly "necessary" so that I can keep in touch with these true friends and my family members that I don't get to see that often. Plus I'm still deep into my love affair with Twitter, you can find me over there! So, here's your official notice. No more Facebook from Wednesday February 22 until Sunday April 8 for me. Not even for the blog. I'll risk losing the traffic Facebook brings me. No more cell phone Facebook...nada. So be warned, I will not respond to any Facebooks until after Lent. Email me, tweet me...blog me!

The second was Jay's idea and I'm proud of him and totally agree. Often we'll sit down to watch a movie...and he's fiddling on his BlackBerry and I'm on the iPad or iPod. What is the point of spending time together if we're really not that into it? Also no more mindless TV or cell phones in bed.

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

God's Cake

For those of you who know me, you might now...that I never forward "forwarded" emails. You know those "pass it on to 10 people for good luck" ones? Sometimes I browse through them, but often they get forgotten. I do save interesting looking ones in my inbox, and my dear Grandma usually sends me quite a few.

I was cleaning my inbox, and this was the last email that my Grandma sent to me, so me being the big suck that I am...I have to share it to save it, and this is my way of passing it on. I thought it was quite appropriate... (Plus, it also reminds me of Jay as a little boy wondering why on earth his mother was putting crushed crackers in her meatballs - "are you sure you're doing it right mom? YUCK!")

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?"  or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong. She's failing math, her  boyfriend broke up with her, and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her mother  is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says,  "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake." "Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck!" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!" To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!" God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go  through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these  things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust  Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about.. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance! -- These things....I know my Grandma believes with all her being. In 2007, she wrote me and Ben wonderful heirloom books all about her life, so we would know where she came from  and what it was like for her growing up. At the end of this book, she wrote us a letter.  The very last sentence states: "Remember - Jesus loves you & you are a child of God." We are all God's children, I know he is watching over all of us, and that Grandma trusts Him completely. I know whatever journey that God has planned for my Grandma, she has faith in Him. I don't know how I would get through these situations in life, if not for believing in Him.