The Widows Story

Our pastors message yesterday was such a wonderful reminder to me. Lately I've been yearning and longing for truth from God's word. That probably sounds funny or odd - shouldn't I always be yearning and longing for that... ? Well, yes. But do I... sadly, no. I'm guilty of letting life and the pressures that I can't even control take over my heart and mind. But, each day God is good to draw me back to himself. Each day I feel refreshed and ready to try again. It's in the hopeless, purposeless - feeling days that I seem to grow the most. {once I'm through it}

" Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside." Luke 7:11-17 (NLT)

Pastor used this as our Mother's day message. A little untraditional in the sense of not using, "Honor your father and your MOTHER", but oh so timely for this momma who needed to hear and be reminded of just how and why I can trust Christ. I won't try to exposit his message for you word for word. I will share the main points that I gathered, in hopes to encourage my readers hearts, as well. He can be trusted!

*He knows my plight! He relates and has compassion. He is omniscient God!

There was no worse of a situation then this widows. Husbandless...and her only remaining source of security/income/protection had just died...in her son, her only son. What is your plight?

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Heb. 4:15

*He calms my spirit by reminding me of who He is.

"Don't cry"... beautiful words said to this widow. Jesus felt compassion and saw the hurt in this widow. The very same God who calmed this widow, those seas and storms.. calms us now.

"He calms the storm, So that its waves are still." Ps. 107:29

*He'll solve my problem. He goes beyond the knowing & calming - He solves the problem.

John 16 (all of it)

(my selection of scripture, not pastors reference)

This was probably the point that I cringed and I think a few people looked at me. oops. I'm so sensitive to staying as far away from "health and wealth" gospel that even a hint of "God will just take care of everything once you know Him"...scares me. Thankfully, that's NOT what pastor was saying. Nor does he ever, for the record. And I thank God for a pastor the speaks truth! Because, life is hard and while God is in control... not every problem may be solved in front of our eyes or in this lifetime. For this widow, though, her problem was solved and her son was given back to her. For me, for us... we have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us and give us direction - He gives us discretion, discernment and wisdom (if we ask!). Praise the Lord! And, oh, how many problems we DO see solved!

Be encouraged today that Christ can be trusted! Like pastor said, "At the points in my life (like the widows) where I am at my lowest, hopeless, purposeless -est GOD IS MOST HIGH and MOST NEAR. (paraphrase)

Mothers Day #2

Wow, what a difference a year makes! This was my second Mothers Day (well, with the baby on the outside of the womb!) with my Ava girl. It started off with breakfast in bed from my dear hubby - cheesy eggs and toast with strawberry jam accompanied with a glass of OJ. He's adorable and got up early to make this an extra special morning. For lunch he took Ava and I out to Noodle Zoo for their brunch buffet, which, was to die for! Seriously... they had these baked eggs with CREAM CHEESE baked in...CREAM CHEESE?! Does anyone even know of a recipe for something like that?! Gimme.... {please?}

Anyway, I found some pics of my baby and I around this time last year. I cannot believe what a difference 1 year can make. And then again... some things just never change...

Ava wasn't happy about last years pic.

And... it appears this years wasn't such a hit either!

Oh that girl! I love her. I love her sassiness and the way she loves to run up to you and act like she's going to hit...but then rubs your face so gently while smiling. tricky. She is learning to be more and more affectionate and I just eat it up! I love that Ava is my daughter. I love being her mom. :) And, tho I do sometimes think about my heaven baby... I know that we wouldn't have our Ava if we had been given the first one. It just puts so much into perspective.

Happy Mothers Day! Whether its your 2nd, 10th or 40th! Here's a few other links to be encouraged on this very special day!

Sarah Mae's hilarious video.

Beck's super cute reminder of the importance of our roles (and our momma's).

Kristi's INVISIBLE video.

Raising a Girl

My punkin! She'll be 17 months old this month... which, seems impossible. She is spunky, giggly, loves to sing and dance, make "crafts", help me cook and clean... and loves to whine. The jingle, "one of these things just doesn't belong here" is running through my brain. WHINE?! How could she love that? It just doesn't go with the rest of the things she enjoys....

It appears we have reached another milestone in raising this girl. The Whine-o-Meter is registering at VERY HIGH and mommy and dad are just about at the breaking point. Thankfully (and boy are we thankful) God's grace abounds and His mercies are new daily! The battle to remain consistent and love, love, love even when the love looks like disciplining something every second... will pay off! (tho...she may be 20 by then!)

Our newest battle is happening during the hours of 12-3am. Yuck. Let me repeat... 12 to 3 AM! The last 3 nights she has half-woken up screaming and we have no idea whats going on. She has her pacifier, her blanket and seems to be in a fairly comfy spot in her crib... the air feels nice and cool, her body doesn't feel too hot and the fan puts out a wonderful level of "white noise" to rest by. So, we don't get it! Usually when this type of thing happens its because she has been sick - so, rocking her for a little while and soothing away the tears puts her right back to sleep easily. This week its just scream, scream, scream...and all she wants is to be held... in the middle of the night. Which, please don't misunderstand me... we LOVE that we have a child to be able to soothe and love like this - it's just difficult. Especially as we just can seem to put together the "why" of all of this. Lastnight was by far the worst. She was up until around 3:20, after being put back down at least 6 times. Finally, I just pulled her into our bed (something we are not fans of doing...) because I thought I was going to pass out from being so tired. She fell right asleep - and about 30 minutes later I plopped her back in her crib and we all slept till quarter of 10am!

I'm puzzled. I'm slightly bothered. I'm praying all the time for wisdom on how to raise this girl - break these weird/bad habits, love her, discipline without being angry, etc. Because when she does wake up in the morning (normal hours) she LOVES seeing us and it almost erases the horrible nights prior. (I said almost) My heart is full this morning being reminded that God never allows us more then we can bear - and, that this phase will also pass, and that very soon someday she won't even be in this home to wake us up. {eyes welling...} In the meantime, what do you guys think? Did your kids go through this? What were your solutions? Any wisdom on raising girls? She seems to be very emotional, like me, and I'm just wondering if I'm missing something major here. Maybe I should call my mom...

{Random change of thought}

In other news - I came across a new blog this morning that I'd love to share with you. Rebecca Ingram Powell is a blogger who writes about many different things - but what caught my attention was her book called, "Seasons of Change" aimed toward raising middle schoolers. She has a new book out called, "Baby boot Camp" for new parents in first 6 weeks of baby-hood that also looked pretty interesting (or make a great shower gift!). She's a pastors wife and homeschools her 3 kiddos...with vigor! It appears she lives in TN where all the flooding is happening :( I found out about her after reading last months "Home Educating Family" magazine. Which, by the way, you can get a FREE trial issue by clicking that link and signing up. I am really enjoying my issue right now!

Check out her site and see what you think! http://rebeccaingrampowell.blogspot.com

I added her button on my blog, too - pretty cute, huh?

Radical Review

It's that time! My very first official Waterbrook Multnomah book review! I am so excited about this opportunity to preview books, digest them and then share what I've learned. So very cool! I mentioned a few days back that I would also be doing a giveaway of the companion booklet - "The Radical Question" and I had every intention of doing so... until my 1 yr old found it and made it her own personal scribble journal. (mommy's fault for leaving it unattended!) But, GOOD NEWS... Waterbrook Multnomah is giving away FREE booklets HERE, so click the link and fill out the form to get one for yourself. :) See, it all works out! God knew my heart was spazzing out about just what to do. And now, onto the review.

"It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily... BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU? In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment - a one year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring."

David Platt is the pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, a four-thousand-member congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely regarded as an exceptional expositor, David has traveled and taught around the world. He holds two undergraduate and three advanced degrees, including a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. David and his wife, Heather, live in Birmingham with their family.

So, what did I think?

David's passion is evident from the get go in this book. I wasn't expecting the pastor of a mega church to be so concerned with what is going on in the rest of the world - as he would obviously have so much responsibility with his own flock. His passion and drive to preach the Gospel to ALL nations was convicting and left little room for our all too common American excuses. In chapter one David says, "...we (American churches today) are starting to redefine Christianity. We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with. A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have..."
He goes on to share story after story of his experiences in other countrys with believers young and old. He gives poignant illustrations of the sacrifice and dedication of those who don't have it "so easy" in the faith. I was blown away by some of the experiences he had been able to have. Most of all I found great benefit in the challenge to look at scripture a little more closely to see what it really says about evangelism, spiritual gifts and following Christ, in general. Pastor Platt is down to earth, real, and shares a very contagious Christian faith. I found the general theme of the book to be very similar to that of Frances Chan's "Crazy Love" with the idea of just going, just doing, just giving. Very challenging and engaging from beginning to end. The book ends with the opportunity for you to fill out your own Radical Experiment and make plans for what you will do over the next year in service to God.

Radical can be purchased online at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/ and you can download chapter one as a preview here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Healthified Sausage-Stuffed Shells

Ok, this was a HIT lastnight in our home! Watching my 1 year old shovel spinach into her mouth willingly just about made my day! So, yes, I'll share this recipe in hopes you can enjoy it, too.

Healthified Sausage-Stuffed Shells

24 Jumbo shells (from 12oz box) -I used Barilla

1 lb. italian turkey sausage, casings removed (well...I used 1lb pork sausage...)

15oz. ricotta

2 c. shredded italian blend cheese

9 oz. froz. spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain

1/2 t. basil

3/4 c. shredded carrots

25.5 oz Pasta Sauce (we used Classico's sweet Basil... yum!)

1) Heat oven to 350. Spray 13x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on box, omitting salt.

2) In 10in. skillet crumble sausage. Cook over med. heat, stir frequently, until no longer pink. Drain.

3) In med. bowl, stir ricotta, 1 c. italian cheese, spinach and basil until well mixed. Stir in carrots and sausage. ( I stirred in 2 T. flax seed meal, too.... shhhhh!)

4) Spead about 1/2c. sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon about 3T. sausage mix into each shell. Arrange shells, filled sides up, on sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over the top. Cover with foil.

5) Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese. Bake another 5-10 mins.

*this can be SUPER healthy if you use all organic (Muir Glen) products and stick with the turkey sausage. I just couldn't find the items at our store, but, it still tastes amazing the ol' fatty way, too! :)

Recipe from Eat Better America - really cool site with endless possibilities!

Housewife stuff

It dawned on me this weekend that I don't think I ever posted the "end result" of our kitchen makeover/paint job. SO SORRY! How annoying is that to have someone go on and on about something like that and then never show the proof...

I can't find any "before" pics fast enough without digging through my Kodak software - but, here are two of the "after" shots. We went with the red and cream-ish colors and will be accenting with coffee stuff. (shocking, I know!) What do you think? My camera doesn't capture all the hard work put in (of course) and how it goes SO well with the dark woodwork... but, oh well.

Don't mind the cluttery table... it was a catchall that day...and somehow everyday...{Sigh}. Anyway, the kitchen is done and now I'm just slowly collecting accents for here and there. If you have any old percolators you don't want - send 'em my way! I'm looking for some antique-y looking coffee things: tins, mugs, pots, signs. We'll see. It was fun and I am praising the Lord for allowing me a home to make my own. :)

Ok, more Housewife stuff...

I wanted to give a quick review of the AMAZING book - "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. I finished it a while ago and to be totally honest was sad to be done with it. :( It's THAT good! These ladies have challenged my thought patterns in every aspect of being a homemaker/wife/mom (not in that order) and the Word of God was convicting page after page. If you have an extra $10-16 bucks and have heart that is "hopeful" about homemaking... IT WILL BE WORTH IT! And who knows, maybe you can find it cheaper on Amazon.com or something? (click the link to find out)

In the first chapter I came across this sentence:

"Real women need to know that being helpers to their husbands, raising Godly children, and properly managing their homes takes real work, but the rich reward a woman receives by diligently tending to the ways of her household is well worth the effort."

And that's what got me motivated right away...

Jennie and Stacy shared from personal experiences and lessons learned from other women on the good, the bad and the ugly of this housewife thing. Tho my mom spent many years at home... I know that I still have much to learn, aside from observing her, and this book reminded me of that. I'm baffled as to how to 1) love my husband...really. And be his personal helper. 2) Love my Ava girl. Train her. Mold her. Influence her for Christ...really. and 3) keep up with this house! Some days the task is just too daunting, while others I wake up and just feel very clearly that this is the path the Lord has laid out and all will be well. More and more the latter feeling is taking over! :) And then I came upon a whole chapter that addressed those feelings - YES! And was encouraged with,

"When we recognize and fully embrace our calling, we are finally free to truly enjoy it; we're able to experience contentment in the uniqueness of our role and achieve overwhelming victory in our homes and lives!"

The biggest influence this book (and Scripture) had on my life was the chapter that touched on our personal walks with the Lord. I loved, loved, loved the encouragement offered through their wise words about how to incorporate our children into our walk... instead of getting cranky or even angry when we hear that monitor go off early during nap time - destroying our only chance at a "quiet time". Anyone relate? I don't know your heart...but, OH how angry I used to become if I didn't squeeeeze in those few minutes of solitary time with my Lord while Ava slept. When she was very little - I could feel my blood pressure rise. And, it never made sense to me. Why on earth was I getting angry about this?! I've had 16 months to think about it and it does boil down to selfishness. Thanks be to God for these ladies and their input - reminding me I was not alone in this feeling. Check this out...

"Rather then pouring some cereal and reading my bible with the children while they ate and I sipped a cup of coffee, I would begin my day feeling like a failure, being short with the children - perhaps even secretly feeling like God was unfair. After all, I just wanted to spend time alone with Him; why couldn't He have kept eveyone asleep? I wound up getting angry because I was trying to meet God each day "MY WAY" rather then His, and it wasn't working."

"If this is your season of little ones, find ways to include them in your spiritual life."

"We need to find Him in the commotion of everyday life. We must view serving our families as acts of service to God, rather than acts that "Get in the way" of serving Him."

I was blown away to connect with the authors this way. And to be given such wise advice from women who have been where I am now. One of the authors goes on to share her personal experience of sitting in a chair to read the Word - one of her little sons came to see what momma was doing (after wanting to know what momma was doing allll day long), and rather then becoming frustrated or angry she simply pulled him up in the chair with her and began reading her study passage aloud...with voices...and directing it toward him. It went like this, "Joshua, you came just at the right moment; listen to this, "these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Isn't that great? Jesus gives us peace in Him! (Jn.16:33)" and goes on to talk about how her toddler went away clapping and grinning because of how excitedly momma had read her bible to him. I put the book down after reading this and wept. Literally. How many times had I selfishlessly pushed away my little one to "concentrate" on God ? How many opportunities missed? I picked the book back up and read this,

"If I strive for a "me-centered" life while I am surrounded by a family who needs me, then I will find myself frustrated and desperate indeed - with an emphasis on despair."

And, wouldn't you know it. During the days as I read this book and got more and more encouraged - it felt as if Satan was working harder and harder to get at me, get me down...whisper lies at me. So many days I battled with selfish pride - still do - and control over my tongue and attitudes. It was as if he wanted to totally distract from all of this rich learning I was taking in. (duh, I know) So, I will tell you this.... don't be suprised if that happens to you. This book is FULL of scripture and wise insight - stuff Satan hates and doesn't want us to see. He wants us to be money hungry, discontent, prideful and forget what God has called us to.

The authors go on to cover topics such as : feminism, work world, avoiding becoming weary, "stepford" husband and the battle of our men being MEN, servanthood, keeping the home, mothering, being a wife, and the list goes on. The cover says it all - I think - "Fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker." Is that you? Need some refreshing? Go for it...

This book has changed the way I view my husband, my child, my church family, the lost, homemaking, cooking, cleaning, you name it... it's changed. Praise be to God for sending this my way at just the right time. He always knows!

Momentous Monday!

We are Hooooooooommmmme!

It was a fabulous trip to Ohio/Georgia, but, I'll tell ya... there's just something about being home. My Momentous Monday was actually ALL of last week. And, since there just isn't time or space to write about everything - I'll share just a few special memories made.

The girls: Kaci and Ava loved playing. They were both old enough now to get into the toys. And everything else in the house! As seen here - Kaci enjoying a storage bin and Ava learning all the ways of the world from her cousin. I just loved sitting back and watching and listening to them interact. so so sweet. Reminded me of growing up and playing with all of my cousins - now we've all grown up.

On the 29th we celebrated my "little" brothers 25th birthday! And, how better to celebrate then with a Transformers theme! We decked out their dining room in all kinds of Transformers garb - including shoving 2 action figures into a cake :) We do it right in our family! :) The girls LOVED the cool masks! (nevermind that they are on upside down)

We had such a great visit and can't wait to see them all again!

Happy Monday! Now...to clean up my house... our suitcases exploded upon home impact, I'm afraid!