Wonderfully Made

This week was Vacation Bible School week at our church. It was so much fun getting to serve and help out during the festivities. And a little surreal having my own little buckaroo participate in the event. I had so much fun dressing my little princesses in theme as much as possible, so they would look right in place at the Saddle Ridge Ranch. Even more fun, was over-hearing the older Princess in the room next door..just singin' her little heart out! (Well, and bossing some of her younger play-mates around, but that part was not quite as much fun.) One of the new songs she learned this week says "I am wonderfully made." Who knows what the rest of the lines are, because that's the only line that girl has been singing the past two days.

We talk a lot about the things God has made and how God made us, and how He loves us. Among other things of course, we want the older Princess to have a grasp on God and we want Him to be a very real part in her life.

It just overjoys my heart to hear this beautiful, wonderfully made little thing say "I am wonderfully made" and to know Who made her.

Isn't it funny that I have to remind myself of that fact, after knowing that truth for a very long time? I know God is the Creator. He created this precious, precious gift He has given us. He created her to be inquisitive and insightful, and maybe even a tad bit bossy. He has orchestrated her every little part, every little facet of her existence. As a mother, it is my job to help her use these characteristics for Gods glory. Not that I should try to "break her" of these maybe less redeeming qualities, but maybe harness them and give them the proper outlet.

** And this little thing shouldn't be forgotten either.

She has been wonderfully made, just like her Big Sister.

Perspective

Today, I woke up late, my car wouldn't start and it was about a million degrees hot outside. I called my husband in a panic, as I normally do when things aren't going right. Knowing full well he was halfway across the other side of town and couldn't physically do a thing to help me in my predicament. Being the Amazing Mister he is, he calmed me down and provided me a solution. Ten minutes later my wonderful sister-in-law was at my house. And another fifteen minutes later, the little princesses were at her house and I was on my way to work in a borrowed ride.

When I got to work, a sweet co-worker had a cup of McDonalds coffee waiting for me. (That stuff is like manna from the Good Lord!) She thought I might need a little pick-me-up after my somewhat rough start.

I could have very easily given in to my defeatus attitude and let this rough start ruin my day. Instead, I chose to praise God for the mini-blessings in this situation. Because my car wouldn't start, I had an extra 20 minutes to soak in my girls' cheery morning attitudes. We had a few giggles and little smiles waiting on my sister-in-law. On my way in to work, I had glorious, frigid air conditioning blowing in my face. And of course, once I made it in.. I had a little caffeine boost waiting on me.

How do you let things that happen effect you?

My dad passed away almost four years ago. He was a rock, a constant in my life. I loved my Dad and I cherish the memories I have of him. The good and the bad. To see him so sickly for a few years was tough. When it was time for Dad to go and meet his Maker, it was REALLY time. God, in his gracious mercy did not let my Dad suffer very long. It was a matter of mere days before he passed. I've heard of many people being in hospice care for weeks or even months. But Dad was only in hospice care for 3 days!

I can tell you, God is always Good! He is sovereign. He is the same. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. He does not change like the passing wind. His hand is on EVERYTHING. No matter what is going on in your life, or around you. He is there. In the midst of chaos, in the midst of loosing a dear loved one... He is THERE. He is control.

You might just need to change your perspective slightly to see Him and how He is working.

One of those Moms

I just have to say.... I think my girls are the cutest kids in the whole-wide-world!

Season

I have to admit; I'm not very patient. If it were for my husband's fierce determination, I might never be surprised with any gifts at all. With all my prodding and nagging, he's never caved once to let me know what he has bought me for this occasion or that.



And I'm not just impatient with surprises or gifts. I'm impatient with lots of things.



In a certain previous post, I mentioned how certain things have been on my prayer list for a very long time. And some things will be on my prayer list until I take my final breath. But just because I've been praying over these things this long, doesn't necessarily mean I am patiently awaiting the outcome.



God is doing a great thing and preparing our family for me to be a stay at home mommy. But I want to stay home NOW! (Well, God is doing many great things.....)



I'm a dreamer, a thinker, a fantasizer. Its *almost* like I live half in the real world, and half in my own little dream world- thinking up different scenarios and playing those scenarios out into these vivid storylines. So, while I am supposed to be awaiting on my King's sovereign timing, I get all wrapped up in what is to come.



And with the "what is to come" comes a whole new set of dreams. There are many "things" I can't wait to get my hands into once I am able to get my hands into once I'm a stay at home mommy.



But for now, I'm a workin' Momma.

Free Stuff?

SURE!!!

We've become somewhat healthier around our house. No, we aren't super fit health guru's. But we've made changes here and there to become healthier.

I've tasted the FOOD SHOULD TASTE GOOD chips. They are super yummy, and I can't wait to try more varieties.

My bloggy and real life friend, Lauren, is giving away a free bag of these bad boys!

I hope I win!! I hope I win!!

http://www.teamgiles.com/2010/05/food-should-taste-good-giveaway/

Transparent

: adjective, able to be seen through with clarity.

There are so many things to say about parenthood, and raising children in general. It's exciting, fun, exhilarating, frustrating, painful, embarrassing, hilarious, tragic, exhausting, rewarding, humbling.... Need I go on?

I think one of the most surprising things about parenthood for me is how it has awoken this Holy fear within me. No, not shaking in my boots with fright. But a reverent, awe-filled wonderment of the Creator.

In some book I read at some point it talked about how we are to be Christ to our kids. No, not sacrificing our own lives to save theirs, paving a way to have relationship with God. Rather, show our children the love of Christ by example. Your kids will look up to you as an example in how to handle things, how to live life, how to glorify God. They will look to you to see what it is to love Christ.

When I realized this, I took a long, hard look at myself. How am I showing the love of Christ to my girl? How am I not showing the love of Christ to my girl? Before motherhood, I strived to lead a life pleasing and glorifying God. But, now, as a mother, its intensified all the more.

Not only is this desire to glorfiy God intensified, but its almost like all of my shortcomings or faults have been magnified times ten in front of me.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with impatience? Just listen to the tone in my precious two year old's voice. Is she somewhat growling and maybe even talking through clenched teeth? Oh, why yes she is.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with laziness? Just look at my couch where we might just be sitting, watching TV for the umpteenth hour.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with fright (mainly, the dark)? Just listen to the little toddler who is terrified to be in her own room; alone.

It's as if she is displaying all of my non-terrific qualities for the whole world to see. (As if I weren't doing that already?) Not only the whole world, but those qualities are on full display for me too.

Being a mother has left me transparent.

Thirty doll-hairs

No. Not really. More like $30.

Our family can do lots of things with $30.

• Enjoy a nice movie at the theater with all the snacks you could ever want.
  
• Sponsor a child in a foreign country
  
• Almost "fill up" our car
  
• Splurge on a modest meal out

Or I can buy all of this loot for $30!

(Well, minus the canister set and stowaway cookbook in the back.)

You see, I'm quite addicted to saving money. The thrill of getting the most for my buck is quite exhilirating!

I've clipped coupons in the past, and became a little more avid about it recently. And even more recently I've gone to several stores to catch the best sales on certain items and combined my coupons with those sales.

And VOILA! There you have it!

Tomorrow, I plan to hit up one more store. I plan to leave that store with about 5 items.. spending a whopping total of maybe $1-$2!! (Without a sale or coupons, I would probably pay close to $8-$10 for the same items!)