Doubt

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19 (NIV)


Why do we let doubt even creep in to our minds?

I wish I could say that the above verse is on my heart all of the time, but often times, I begin to worry about things. "Will the shop find out what's wrong with my vehicle, will Christian's chemo have a good result when it's all over, will we stay in our current pastorate longer than a year..."

I know I could worry myself sick about everything, but then I'll be missing out on something really important...LIFE! Satan works hard at getting us when we are down. Even while things are going along great and we have that split second of wonder and doubt, Satan works his way in to destroy the good in our lives.

We have to keep our priorities in check...keep all of the important things on our list active in all that we do. We have to remember that doubt can destroy.

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. direct deposit
2. rental cars
3. phone cords
4. bookmarks
5. journaling

Seeds

We have started a new fall tradition...roasting pumpkin seeds. I went to my friend, T's, the other afternoon and she was roasting pumpkin seeds. She cleaned them,

seasoned them with garlic salt...


and roasted them in the oven.



They are delicious!

Needless to say, my oldest and I carved our pumpkins and did the same.

It's a great new tradition and we have the chance to do something really special...redeem our pumpkins!

Think about it. What do you do with the guts of your pumpkin? By taking the seeds and using them for something good, we have redeemed what our pumpkins can be. Not are they only decorations, but we use them for a great treat.

It's just like how God works. He takes us as we are, uses every part of us, and redeems us. He takes the yucky parts of us, like our pumpkins, and loves us and uses us in all things.

Pretty cool, don't you think?

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. new traditions
2. a day in the kitchen
3. houseguests
4. new friends (C and C)
5. small town kindness

Casting our Burdens

Right when things seem to be going well...our schedules, finances, medical issues...something happens to put a "kink" into what we consider living life well.

Isn't that normally what happens? Everything moves along great and the minute you get complacent "BAM" reality hits.

You know, something like a major repair that is needed on your house, a car that dies and has not hope of resarting (buying a new car), a big health issue that will take many tests and trips to the hospital with lots of waiting...

I believe Satan works on many levels. He finds his way into our minds when we begin to doubt ourselves, when things begin to go wrong at school and/or work, and when relationships begin to fail.

Our natural inclination is to worry ourselves sick! But if we truly know that God is in control of every aspect of our life, we will give up even the most mundane of worries that can eat us up.


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30

When has God shown up in a huge way when you cast all your burdens on Him?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. birthday cards
2. new calendars
3. carving pumpkins
4. hot soup on a cold night
5. a table filled with papers

Comfort

I would imagine most of you feel a great comfort when you get home. You slip off your shoes, get into comfy clothes, put on your slippers and you are in a safe haven.

There are many places where we feel that kind of comfort. For my boys, it is also at our church where they feel comfort. The spend quite a bit of time after school hanging out until me (I office out of the church) and my husband are done for the day.

At any given spot in the church you may see this...


It's another home away from home. I'm so glad they are comfortable being "Pastor's Kids." :)

God has led us on an amazing journey. We both were teachers living in suburbia trying to do the "right things" and God plucked us out of our situation to go and follow Him. We went to the desert of New Mexico and have ended up in a small, eclectic town neary. We continue to follow and listen.

What has He asked of you lately?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. memory cards
2. "shuffle" on my iPod
3. Pez dispensers
4. winter finally arriving
5. flashlights

Merry Christmas??

I had a great experience this weekend. I went to a ladies retreat at Elephant Butte Inn, which is our neighboring town on the lake (it is a beautiful place). Janet Drez (Octopus Faith), was our guest speaker from Arizona.

The retreat was entitled, "Christmas Through the Eyes of A Child." She walked us through anticipating the Christmas season. Sounds funny to be talking about Christmas in October, but before we blink our eyes the season will be upon us.

I always get overwhelmed with the holiday season. Actually, Thanksgiving is my favorite, but I feel as if I have to do Christmas "right" like a family member who I used to be close with always did. You know, the "Martha Stewart" kind of Christmas.

But that is not me and never will be. I just know that I will continue to focus on why we celebrate Christmas. Like Janet said this weekend, it's the biggest birthday party of the year!

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. new friends
2. afternoon naps
3. paper shredderws
4. a new bible study (The Reason We Speak)
5. date night!

Time

Time.

We are always short of time.

"If only I had a few more hours in the day..."

"If only I had a few extra weeks before the holidays actually arrived..."

"If only I had a few more months of my child being an infant..."

We could go on and on about "needing" more time.

I had a realization this past weekend as I attending the Sangre de Oro Family Education Weekend (bleeding disorder community in New Mexico). I looked around and there were lots of young parents and lots of older adults, but no one my age (early 40's).

It was strange. I mean, I guess I am really getting older and am not a "young parent" anymore. I feel like one...but I'm not.

I remember my mom at the age I am at. She was diagnosed with diabetes and her health started to deteriorate. She seemed so much older than I feel right now.

But something happened this weekend that definitely made me feel older.

When I did this...my eyeliner went on so much easier...



Have you had that moment where you accepted the fact that time was marching on?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. a new doctor
2. hearing good things about my husband's ministry
3. fat envelopes
4. having the week off from taking Christian to chemo
5. new folders

Vacation?

Have you ever taken a trip to Wal-Mart alone and felt like it was a vacation?

It's pretty sad, but can be an enjoyable outing when you have the chance to go sans kids.

This afternoon was filled with work but my mind was already preparing to take Christian to Albuquerque for his chemo treatment. My husband was extremely busy at church, the kids were keeping themselves amused at church and then it happened...Christian had an "accident." The kind where the only remedy is to strip and take a bath.

The joys of motherhood...a three year old is always an adventure. In our instance the "two's" were no problem, it's the "three's" that have been a challenge!

I am in a season of trying to ignite my passion again. School has not done it for me at all. Work, well, it's work. I'm really good at it, but I am looking for more.

A great opportunity has come my way through my work and I am hoping that it pans out to give me more of a challenge, but only time will tell.

I know, deep in my heart, that my mission right now is to keep the home fires burning while my husband finishes seminary. He is taking 14 hours and serving a church! It's crazy! I know that the only way he is doing it is by God's grace.

This time next year, seminary will be over and we can enjoy ministering without that over our heads. It's difficult, but will definitely be worth it.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. labels
2. Ibuprofen
3. surprise checks in the mail
4. curling irons
5. Wal-Mart