Year in Review - September 2014

The month began while we were still on our road trip

While traveling I only like to eat at places that I can't eat at at home.  

The trip home took us to chowhound!

It wasn't spectacular but it was a fun mom and pop burger joint.

I think this trip was my first time to cross the continental divide by land (as opposed to air).  

It was a neat experience to me.

These pics are actually from August but didn't make the last post.  We had to say goodbye to some lovely friends who were some of our very first friends here in Colorado Springs!  :(  

Boo.  But we will look forward to visits somewhere somehow in the future.  

A good friend and I began diving into the scriptures together in the mornings and it has been really good to me and for me.  God is Good!  He knows what we need.  

I built a chair/blanket/tablecloth tunnel for the kids.

It was a hit.  

Fall decorating, this little squirrel has quite the supply of nuts!  

We had a BIG trip coming up and I was prepping for weeks!  

These two love each other so much!  

Looking online for accommodations.  Do you see one of the places we were headed???

Pushing the cart on a shopping day with Nana and Mama while Brother was in preschool.  

So excited to be surprised by Nana joining me to pick him up from school!  

We took the kids to chickfila for lunch.  I had JUST commented that we were at such as sweet spot because David was big enough to go into the play area by himself and Cora didn't realize it existed yet and so was happy to sit and hang out with us at the table.  When we went in to get David so we could leave, she walked right in, started climbing up to the top of the play structure before I even knew what was happening and was going down the big slide!  She is one brave and adventurous girl!!!

Playing with the nativity in September

When we visited my friend Jenny in May we tie dyed shirts.  David calls his his "tie day" shirt.  He likes it a lot!

Splashing around in the water in our footie Christmas jammies!!

Sweet boy, we let him stay up a little later to read in his bed and he fell asleep! 

My sweet nephew Caleb captured this fun photo!

Getting our taste buds ready for Italian food.  

Another library book we really enjoyed!

Narrowing down clothing choices, matching outfits and packing!!!

Next up, our trip!  

Crocus!

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

streams of water

^"Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land —a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey . . . "  Deuteronomy 8:6-8

"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." Exodus 13:21

Am I letting God guide me on my way or am I attempting to drag him along for the ride?

Oh Lord, please help me to be humble before You and to allow You free reign in my life.

Amen.

photo by Adrian from the top of Pikes Peak

happy 2012

I started this post about 10 p.m. on the 31st but things have been moving along over here and I am just now getting it finished.

We had our party and it was a lot of fun!

We ended up "counting down" at about 6:55 our time. We were trying for 7:00 to celebrate when it turned midnight in Rio de Janiero but the kids were ready so we just went ahead!

More pics from the party to come but I wanted to mention a couple things for the new year before too much more time gets away.

I'm going to try out this decluttering calendar for the new year. Anyone want to do it with me? Nothing formal and I'm not gonna promise to do every day but a little is better than nothing, right? Leave me a comment or e-mail me if you want to do it together. It would be more fun that way for sure.

Also, last year at the wonderful encouragement of a dear friend, I intentionally memorized scripture for the first time in years. This is such a good thing for me but I had not exhibited the discipline to do it in so long.

We did it along with Beth Moore and thousands of other women through the Living Proof Ministries blog.

It was really good and I am so glad that I bit the bullet and did it. At the same time though, my year has been full, my brain has been full and while I am so thankful that I kept it up I still don't feel like I have those 20 some odd verses really truly rolling off the tongue of my mind/heart.

Rather than trying to memorize new ones right now I am going to work on really solidifying those so that I can say them anytime, anywhere to myself, to my family, to friends or strangers to bring a word of encouragement or peace.

I think the thing to do will be to put the verse reference and the first word or two of each scripture on a list on my mirror and just work on them from there. Do you think that will work?

Are any of you memorizing scripture? Do you have any ideas of things that are helpful to really have these truths of God's word written on your heart and mind?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on scripture, decluttering, what you ate for lunch . . . oh just anything.

Happy Tuesday!

Kelly

advent

Today I wanted to share two e books with you that I have recently stumbled across.

The first is one that I am doing for myself and very much enjoying so far.

It is called An Everyday Advent and it has four sections, one for each week for you to read from the Bible and questions to ponder. I am excited about focusing my heart in this way at this time of year.

The other is called Truth in the Tinsel and is for David and I to do together. I really like the simple and easy format of it. It has a passage of scripture to read with your child everyday. I have read to David out of storybook Bibles so far in his life but never once have I read straight out of scripture to him. It was exciting today to get out his little Bible that he was given by our church family in Dallas at his baby dedication and talk about the Bible and sing a little cradle roll song about the Bible and then to show him my Bible side by side (his only has the New Testament or I would have read directly out of his - today's reading was from Isaiah) and then read the passage of scripture out loud with him.

Each day has a simple ornament craft for you to make with your child so that they can focus on details of the story as they begin to internalize it all and it gives big and little hands something to do while you talk about the story. I really like the way the author, Amanda, has written the "talking it through" part.

My little guy is not very into crafty things at this point so I plan to do a few simple ones but also just play with different objects (today a flashlight instead of a candle craft, as well as practicing blowing out a candle and looking at one) as we go through it. I am excited about this way to teach David the story of Christ coming to earth to be *with us* and as the most amazing gift ever *for us*.

In no way am I receiving any compensation for reviewing these e books nor do I receive anything if you buy one of them. I just wanted to share these great (and inexpensive, each under $5!) resources with you in case you would enjoy using them this season. If you do, I'd love to hear about your experiences with them.

Merry Christmas!

Kelly

splendor

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness."

I Chronicles 16:29

leaf photo taken in Seattle

a couple more photos of the entryway

I am really enjoying being able to decorate with flowers from our own yard!

The whole shebang! Entry way with a school-ish theme for fall.

let's look at the house

The very best thing would be able to have you over in person but second to that let's have a little photo tour.

First up, the present entry way display.

when will I learn?

We just got back from a vacation in Chicago.

It was a really wonderful time of refreshment.

Before we left there were ants trying to build an ant bed in our sunroom.

In my task oriented, worrier mode (and I think I was a little hormonal too) I was convinced that our not taking care of that before we left was going to result in our sunroom being completely taken over by ants while we were gone. As in, I had visions in my head of ant hills taller than us completely enveloping the sunroom upon our return.

We got back late last night, dead on our feet. I've been in the sunroom already a couple of times this morning but hadn't thought about the ants (although there were a couple of times on the trip that I wondered if they were busy taking over). Just now I walked in the sunroom to set a load of laundry to be folded by the couch. I remembered to peer around the other side of the couch where they had been.

Guess what?

I did not see traces of a single ant.

Nope.

Not a single one.

When will I learn not to worry?

When will it really, fully sink in that God takes care of my needs?

I do not have to be anxious or consumed. I can sleep in peace at night without lying awake worrying over ant beds bigger than my head.

"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 passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:6-7

grass!

I have lived in Texas my whole life until now (and excepting the years I was in college in Arkansas) and I am used to green grassy lawns.

As we looked at houses here in Colorado, I saw backyards that were rocks or dirt or very poor excuses for grass and I was sad to think of my little boy playing in the dirt (which he probably would love of course) rather than having a "proper" grassy lawn.

This move has been full of emotional pitfalls and I have been meditating on Psalm 23 a lot.

After we had put a contract in on this house and were waiting to close it dawned on me one day that the house I believe God led us to has grass. Beautiful, well taken care of, grass!

Green pastures!

"He makes me lie down in green pastures" (from Psalm 23 NIV)

What a comfort to realize and remember that God cares about me and wants to take care of me. Even when facing big things like cancer and missing friends and just the stress of having life in transition, "He makes me lie down in green pastures". He cares. He gives me blessings big and small. I need only to look to Him.

Lest you think I am great at this, the whole grass thing hit me in the face that day. Sometimes over the past few months I've questioned, doubted, had trouble really feeling trust in God even though in my mind I knew that was what I would do, my feelings were not quick to catch up.

He is good. "He makes me lie down in green pastures".

I am thankful for this grass and hope I will always remember the realization of God's provision for me through it's presence at my home.

How have you seen God care for you personally?

Kelly

one thing at a time

“Do not yield to the temptation of looking at everything at once, as if everything would happen at once, and all the events of the day be crowded into an hour. Do not thus forecast, but take each thing as it comes to you, and look upon it as the present expression of the will of God concerning you; then regard the next in the same way, and thus receive your day piece by piece from Him who will remember always when He gives you work to do, that you need strength to do it.” ~Priscilla Maurice

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. ~Psalm 28:7

strollin' along

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10: 29-31

scripture reference courtesy of Biblegateway.com

photo by Daddy

not to be burdened

I read this this morning.

"I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense."

Isaiah 43: 23 (partial)

Wow, that hit me.

Here's how it interpreted in my head:

I have not burdened you with expectations that you cannot meet.

I have not burdened you with the need for perfection.

You don't need to weary yourself with unending tasks to please me.

I do not want you to be weary.

I love you.

I love you. I love you!

I love you!!!

Be at rest. Rest in Me.

Let's pray for each other to really "get this" today.

Have a good one.

Kelly

Immanuel

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

'Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived."

Luke 2: 1-21

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)."

Matthew 1: 22-23

Merry Christmas Eve

Kelly

who I want to be

". . . his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

Psalm 1:3

photo by Edmund

His mercies are new every morning

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your comments and encouragement from last night's post.

Isn't our God good and amazing? The way He works things, helps us to carry each other's burdens, speaks His truth to us through others, reminds us that He cares for us is amazing and wonderful.

Some verses that I have been meditating on lately that remind me of who my God is & what His character is are these from Jeremiah:

"Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 'I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:26 & 27)

"You are saying about this city, 'By the sword, famine and plague it will be handed over to the king of Babylon'; but this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul." (Jeremiah 32:36-41)

"While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: 'This is what the LORD says, He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it -- the LORD is His name; 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:1-3)

Is anything too hard for God?

I love the contrast between "you are saying" and "but the LORD says". He says so many good things to us and about us and His plans for us even when we are saying, "I don't know how, Lord. I can't see it, Lord. I'm discouraged, Lord."

"they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children" wow!

God rejoices in doing us good!

"While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard"/while I am still confined in my pjs smelling of spit up & in my doubt and discouragement, the word of the Lord can still come to me. He will tell me great and unsearchable things I do not know.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for me and us. God is hearing and answering. My little man slept the longest he has ever slept last night, EIGHT hours the first stretch and then another 3 1/2 hours! I didn't get up until after nine with just one very short feeding break in the five o'clock hour! Praise God!!! I am feeling more rested and better able to cope and deal with the battles that Satan will throw at me. I can take things one at a time and not get overwhelmed.

Thank you for letting me be real and for being real in return.

Kelly

photo taken 6/8/10 after Mama and Daddy's date night when Nana kept the little man

table

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5

Psalm 96

Psalm 96

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;
they will sing before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his truth.

photo taken by Adrian of the hillside near his old house

ebenezer

"Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home."

from the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

by Robert Robinson and John Wyeth

(This has long been one of my favorite hymns.)

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."

1 Samuel 7:12 (New International Version)

* the word "Ebenezer" means "stone of help"

photo taken by my husband

I have been spending some time reflecting on how the Lord has brought me to the place where I am today. He is so good to us. His blessings are new every morning. Sometimes His answers come quickly (I had a prayer answered in ten minutes this week that lifted a heavy burden.) sometimes His answers come after much, much perseverance in prayer. There are prayers that I have been praying for well over a year or in some cases for multiple years that I have not seen a clear answer to yet. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Kelly