Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture".

It is 4:00 a.m. and for the many past nights this seems to be the time the Lord awakens me. I wrestle with not getting up and lay there praying for everyone I can think of, but still unable to fall back asleep. So I decided either lay there, or get up and see what the Lord has.

I believe that He wakes me for a purpose, and if I respond with a "here I am" response than it seems to be blessings waiting for me to see.

It has been awhile since I have written, for no other reason than alone thought provoking time. So I guess it is "the early mornings" that will work best for this season of my life.

This is the week of Thanksgiving, and having the week home each day is something I am cherishing more than before. Working in Zach's class everyday has and is a wonderful blessing, but to be honest being up, ready, and out the door every morning by 7:30 has its ups and downs. Especially when it is bitter cold outside and all I would rather do is stay in all snuggled up with a cup of coffee and a good book. But such as at is, I will enjoy this week and prepare my heart for the coming days ahead.

I have been pondering a thought lately as I see, hear all the ideas people have to "help" others during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I know that there is the Spirit that moves in each one according to His ideas, but I ask myself, "what about the rest of the year"? I mean needs of people are all year long not just at this time of year, and yet it is so easy to get caught up with what I think is the "emotional" part of it, and loose the perspective that come the week after Thanksgiving and Christmas there will still be hurting, lonely, unemployed, homeless people who will wake up with the same needs. Just my thoughts, but I so want to be aware of these needs all year long, and be available in whatever way the Lord would see fit.

I have much to be Thankful for and a heart of gratitude will overflow everyday no matter the circumstances because if I truly believe that the Lord is the Lord of my life and that He knows me better than I know my self, than I will trust Him and be attentive to His voice.

Gratitude is not determined by what my circumstances are. Gratitude is choosing to be Thankful in all circumstances, knowing that the secret to contentment is knowing Christ. Not how much money is in the bank, or how full my cabinets are. But being Thankful that I have power to turn lights on, or propane to have heat. It is when I become presumptuous, relying on what I have and what I might be getting, and than not having that available I tend to loose my focus, but when my focus is on Christ and His sufficiency on my life than I am content and not moved by the changing circumstances.

How is this done, by meeting with Him each and everyday. To have my heart and mind filled with His word, His truths, and His Spirit daily. It is than that I am prepared for His will for my day, not my ideas or my ways. And it is then that I am prepared to receive whatever it is He has for me.

My desire is that I will keep my heart with all diligence and not let the cares, concerns, worry rob me of the joy that comes from walking with Christ. I pray that I will be a reflection of His goodness to everyone I come in contact with, leaving a bit of Jesus as I go about my day.

What I learn while in the garden.

John 15:1
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
This has and will always be a favorite verse of mine. I spend quite a bit of time in the yard, pruning, weeding, and cleaning up the left overs from the seasons gone by, preparing for what is to come.
As I was out yesterday cutting back and pruning the different plants, I couldn't help but think of this verse, while praying for all the hurts that have come to so many people we know. The Lord impressed upon my heart that He is and always is in the process of doing His work in His people. And when I look at the plants and all that is needed, He shows me more and more.
There is a vine in our yard that takes over everything. To some this may look beautiful, but it reminded me that sometimes, I take over into ares that are not intended for me, so the Father has to prune me back to where He has me to me, and not to bleed into areas that He has not prepared for me to go.
And then there are the plants that "look" great. They are growing strong, and full. But when I get on my hands and knees, I see that so many of the branches are hanging on the ground, that allow for the insects to infest and hinder the true beauty of the plant, and I am reminded again what is it that I am allowing to suck the life out of me? Is there "branches" in my life that hang on to the things that are not edifying to the Lord and my growth, and He has to come along and cut back? When I cut back these branches it is amazing how the existing branch perks up and springs forth reaching its branches to the sky. It is as if their burden has been taken.
Then the hard part comes for me, and that is the clean up. Picking up all the cut branches, and the many leaves that exist, and again I am reminded that when the Lord does the work, it is HE that carries it all away. All I need to do is enjoy the pruning. The bush no longer has to do any of the work.
And when all the work is done, for a time, I can look back and be very thankful by the beauty I see, all the dead stuff gone, and the ground clean of all the debris. And again I am reminded how much the Lord loves me, that He wants to see His beauty in my life, so the pruning has to happen. The question I have to ask myself, am I will to submit to the clippers? However they may come.
I can only pray and ask the Lord to prepare my hear for whatever He has, so that His glory can shine through my life.

What we do with what we have been given?

Today Zach and I spent the day in old Sacramento with his 1st grade class on a field trip. We enjoyed an hour long trip on the delta, and a train ride that took us on the route from Sac. and learned about how the train changes tracks to get from the back to the front. I had 2 other boys in our group and it was exahausting at times as I was not used to little boys who wonder off into their own world, and yet I realized that, that is how they are. And when I got frustrated, I reminded myself that they are not Zach, and they need encouragement, and love to learn to follow the rules that have been set before them. Needless to say it was a really great day. We left the group before they boarded the bus for the ride home as I drove my car down. As Zach and I were walking back to the parking garage, there was a man sitting on the side of the walkway with a sign that read" please if you could help in any way". I have to be honest, I thought... should I help him? or is he another one of those who could get work, but chose "not too". And then I realized that was not up to me, and I prayed in my heart that the Lord would help this man. And then out of the mouth of babes, Zach says" mom, I sure wish we could help him?, as we walked across the street, we sat on a bench and pulled out everything we had left over from lunch, including a water bottle that could be refilled. Zach took all the many baggies and water bottle in toe, and headed back across the street. As I sat from a distance, I say this little man walk so proudly across the street, kneel down beside this man and give him what he had. And stand up and walk back, hands in his pockets, with that deep thinking look that he gets on his face when He is taking to heart what he has just witnessed. As he approached me, he said, "wow mom, I feel so good! I mean like this really good feeling inside of me that I have never felt before, and I reminded him that he obeyed the voice of the Lord and it is the Holy Spirit that you since. As we arrived at the car and got inside he shared with me again how he was feeling. And that he really felt like crying. I said, "that is ok son, cry." would you like to pray? He answers, yes. And with tears of sorrow and joy I heard the heart of a little boy, who God had spared from the way of abortion, and placed in our lives. A little boy I call "son". I can and will only give all praise and glory to Him who has called this little man to serve Him.

I only can pray that as the spirit grows in him, I will learn lots more from being a part of this little boy's life.

Matthew 25: 35-40

May we each take the time while we are out and about to "see" as the Lord sees. Each and everyone is a creation by God and were created with a purpose. May we each give a hand or a word of encouragement to those we see.

Everyday is a lesson I learn through the eyes of my son.

The day after

Today is October 9, 2011. Yesterday was a day that the Lord had created before the foundations of the earth. Christianna became Mrs. Dan Partlow.

The day started at 7:30 a.m. with the arrival of our dear niece Nicole who showed up with make up in hand, and curling iron in tow to pampered Christianna as the bride. All the girls showed up around 9 a.m. and the beauty began.

Christianna and Dan had decided to have the "first look" here at home so we could get all the family pictures done ahead of time. So thankful that we did. The kids loved having their time with one another, and it allowed for the nerves to be at ease when it was time for the creremony. My precious friend Julie was here with her children, such a sweetness to have my home filled with the life of everyone. I felt as if I were a by stander. Watching what was going on and yet, not needed But then there were the moments when I was able tosnag with Christianna on my own, and not feeling selfish by having those moments, but also realizing she has such a very full life with many that love her, and that we are beginning a new season of our lives.

As we gathered at the church, such a blessing to see so many that love and support Dan and Christianna, it really did bring such a joy to our hearts. Zach did amazing, walking me down the isle and the Maid of Honor Liz. He really was a little man. Te day was blesed above and beyond. Thankful for all the help and support from the body of Christ.

Ended the day with the kids leaving and us heading home. We were able to spend the evening with Dan's Dad and mom. Such a blessing to have fellowship.

Love covers ALL

I am reminder everyday around 1 a.m. that my time is NOT my time. It seems this season of my life and take what I can get, when it is available to me.

I started a Precepts Bible Study today in the book of Isaiah. All I can say is WOW! The women were so encouraging and I am very expectant of what I will learn and the growing that will happen. Not only through the Word, but the wisdom for the other ladies in the group.

I only pray that I donot quit. I tend to get overwhelmed pretty easy these days, but I know it will be by His Grace and my deciding to persevere and finish well.

So excited to see Kelsey has a blog. She has always been such a gifted writter. I look forward to readig her thoughts.

Here I go

This is a desire I have had for sometime now, to have a place where I could share my thoughts, ideas, expectations, dreams, dissapointments, and learnings.

Mainly, it has been to share with others all that I have and am learning as I walk through this thing called "life".
I am so blessed by this life and all that I have seen. I would have never imagined 27 years ago, what all was in store. As of today I am a mom of 4 wonderful children. 3 girls and 1 son. I have been married for 27 years and we have 1 son-in-law married to Kelsey and soon to be another son-in-law named Dan who will marry Christianna in 2 weeks. I am also a new grandma to our beautiful grand-daughter Ella Anne Holmes. She was bor August 24,2011. My mom and I were priveledged along with Zach to be there at her arrival. Such a beautiful thing. I will never forget the beauty of life, that has been created andknitted together perfectly.
I pray as I write in the days ahead, that my thoughts and writings would be an encouragment to all who read, and a blessing to the Lord as I testify to the good things He has and has yet to do.