31 Days of Random Writing: Day 5

Sometimes I don't understand

rephrase: A lot of times I don't understand

I don't understand mistreatment of children

I don't understand terrorist groups

I don't understand why God made Ebola

I don't understand churches arguing

I don't understand deceitfulness

I don't understand the ways of the world

But it's ok

I don't have to

Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4


Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

HE DOES UNDERSTAND

31 Days of Random Writing: Day 4

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-21

in this great big world, how can little ol' me make a difference?

S E R V E

life is not about me

it's about Him

and He says love others, serve others, 

forgive others

31 Days of Random Writing: Day 3

Sometimes its the climb up that gets us

Sometimes its the climb down

Are you climbing up or down??

31 Days of Random Writing: Day 2

It's long winding road up the mountain.
The bus weaves in the curves.
My ears fill with pop songs sung by middle school girls. 
I search the leaves for colors of red, yellow, and orange.
Looking for change.  

where are you looking for change?

31 Days of Random Writing: Day 1

I haven't wrote in....well it feels like forever.  So, I guess the quickest way to pick it back up is to do it every day.  You'll find bloggers all over the web this month giving you great advice on everything from the crock pot to your blog to your bathroom to your christian faith.  But you won't find that here.  I have no advice. I'm combating stink bugs and laundry, balancing teaching and mothering, trying to find sleep and a place to put the mail.  

Therefore you are going to find randomness, release, and hopefully a respite from whatever you are combating, balancing, and looking for.  

RANDOMNESS THOUGHT 1:

My friend Amy's book released last week!!  WOO-HOO  

So, on day 1 of randomness, I'm giving away a copy of her awesome book, When More is Not Enough.  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below on this post OR on the facebook link to this post.  I will draw next Monday.  
Good Luck!!  And if you don't win, feel free to purchase.  :)  It will be worth it. 



RANDOM THOUGHT 2:

We went on a mini vacation this past weekend.  I would show you all the pictures, but then you would be super jealous.

no edit required

RANDOM THOUGHT 3:

I taught my kids the Virginia Reel today.  I was prepared for complaints, refusals, "absolutely no's". Not one kid didn't do it.  Not one complaint was made.  In fact, I was asked repeatedly "can we do this again tomorrow!?"  Yes, I made them pair girl-boy, yes I made them do-s-do, and yes they loved it.  They laughed and smiled and actually kept time with the music.  This makes my heart smile.

  IN CASE YOU WANT TO LEARN :)

RANDOM THOUGHT 4:


Proverbs 29:17
Correct your son, and he will give you peace: yes he will bring delight to your soul.

{shakes head, I hear ya Lord, I hear ya}

the never ending job a parent

first hair cuts

taking the time point out the beauty that surrounds us

watching personalities grow before my eyes

learning who we are

learning where we are going

doing the work set before me

the never ending job of a parent

it's the little things

that one day be the difference 

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

ramblings on labor day

it's labor day, the official end of summer.....

we've been holding on as long as we could

we even crammed in a camping trip 

And now the bedtimes, early mornings, and homework begin........

i'm not sure 3rd grade is ready for this or if he is ready for 3rd grade...........

yesterday a children's home came and spoke and sang at our church

he came running to me after the service

"can we adopt one of them".......i'm not sure, son

"TODAY", he replies

and i want to keep him just like this

a believer 

a dreamer

a doer

i pray that his heart always labors for the Lord

that he doesn't grow jaded and doubtful

but holds strong in his faith and belief that he can change lives in a day


He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10:2

Happy Labor Day!

Thank you for laboring for the Lord.  I pray that you continue in the work before you, that you faith is renewed and your trust grows, for the harvest is plenty.

back to school

tomorrow morning i will be up before the alarm goes off

i will get dressed and do my hair

i will drink my coffee and grab my bag

and out the door i will go

my desk are piled with planners and papers

waiting for smiling faces

my room is shiny and clean

decorated and ready 

my heart beats a little faster

and my stomach has a little flutter

the first day of school awaits........

i pray

 to strengthen their voices, bodies and minds

to express their feelings and control them sometimes 

to explore what's near and venture afar

but most important to love who they are

He cares for you {no words needed}

                  

overwhelmed

i have been overwhelmed

by the world lately

when the world is dark, look for the light

Ebola outbreak

Iraqi Christians

NC teacher salaries

suicide

health concerns

questionable morals

family 

friends

groceries

things of this earth

but what i need to be overwhelmed by

is God

His greatness

His power

His grace

His mercy

His promises

His masterpiece

His work

because as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:12 and 13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV)

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (The Message)

what has been overwhelming you lately?

lovely linky:  

The Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood

holding on to summer {no words needed}

we are holding on to summer

squeezing it till the very last drop

 knowing that like the butterfly it will soon fly away

are you mad at me?

growing up i would ask my best friend at least 10 times a day if she was mad at me
i know it drove her crazy
yet she remained my friend and is still my friend today, thankfully
but my problems with insecurity unfortunately have hung around as well
i'll be honest i replay every conversation in my head 
trying to judge if anything i said could have made someone mad
i judge body language and tone way too seriously 
and now in the world of text when you can't
i find myself going now is this okay like okay or like OK
or is this yes happy or yes if have to
or is this thanks sarcastic or sincere
my mind runs consistently if i let it
which is no good
it's no good for my friends or me
so i work hard against it
but when i least expect it sneaks up on me 
this worry of what others think of me
the thought that someone doesn't like me or is mad at me
is haunting really
relationships are risky
friendships can be made and broken with a simple statement or act.......
but what if they weren't 
what if grace was the norm
forgiveness and acceptance were offered instead
today i read Romans 12 and these verses stuck out

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. Romans 12:14-16

so my question for you is this

how are you at risky friendships?  
are you open and honest with no second thoughts?  
do you filter your conversations?
do you offer grace?

i believe God wants us to live this life with people to lean on
friends who understand us and pick us up when we fall down
without worry or doubt

ps i have the best friends in the world!!!  i thank God for them everyday and that they love me in spite of my insecurities.