Well, Jonathan has a 2nd interview on Thursday morning here in Austin. It seems like the perfect next step for him and he is very excited and has been working so hard to prepare for this 2nd interview. I am so ridiculously proud of him.
After with praying with friends, church family and our pastor, I finally realized that it's okay to ask God for what we want. Chances are, He knows already! So, while I have had to intentionally and diligently prepare and open my heart to whatever the Lord has next for us and trust Him in the meantime, I am now fervently praying that He will keep us here. Home.
One of the precious things I have taken from this journey is that this is home. Being an Air Force Brat, I have never felt "from" somewhere. I never felt like I had a "home" or "roots." But, I have realized I am home. If I moved, I would tell people I was from here...little Kyle, Texas! My children are from Texas. And it's Okay to ask the Lord for our hearts desires. And be open to the answer He has prepared for us.
There have also been other phone interviews and interest in places such as Colorado, California, New York and Minnesota. Seriously. This is how I see that going:
On Friday it was a steady stream of rain and sporadic thunder rolls in the background. The temperature was low 70s, maybe high 60s. Isabelle comes home from school and wants hot chocolate. After Izzy and Nicky are cradling their steaming cups of hot chocolate, Nicky asks me if we have any firewood because, "it's so freezing outside!" I told Jonathan, "I don't think God is calling us to Minnesota."
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
intentionally content....
As I work to refocus my thoughts that have a tendency to be negative toward myself, I am intentionally looking for things to be thankful for and to see the blessings from my faithful God in even the smallest things. So instead of constantly beating myself down for the 5 pounds I want to lose (okay, 10 pounds if I really had my way) or my constant frustration with how the floor gets dirty 5 minutes after I vacuum, I choose to thank Him for a functioning body that produced 3 beautiful children and praise Him for having a floor under a roof to clean and a healthy family to make it dirty.
Every woman I know abhors laundry...no sooner are you done that there is more to do. And dare you skip one day and all of a sudden you are 2 days behind! But, now as I fold clothes, I thank Him for providing clothing for us. And that I have a washing machine and dryer that does most of the work for me.
We watched a Nooma video (you should check it out at nooma.com) last night about how we, as Americans, are rich. "God Bless America." Well, He already has. Now, how can America bless Him and bless others? We have homes, cars, shoes for our feet, food (a lot) to eat, and even clean drinking water. The States makes up 6% of the world's population, yet we consume 40% of its resources. And, I am not talking about living green or reuse and recycle. I am talking about being intentional, being thankful to Him who provides everything we need and often more, and giving back...passing it on.
Rob Bell talked about when he and his wife were first married and if they stayed on their very tight and little budget they could go out to eat once a month. That one night in a restaurant was so special that they cherished each delicious bite. Now, when they go out to eat, it's no big deal. In so many ways, our success just makes us poor. That makes my heart so sad...how much we have taken for granted. Do my kids think that going to McDonalds is a huge treat like I did growing up? He spoke about some friends that went to Europe and met so many wonderful people. People that in our American standards were poor. But, they came home to find that instead of helping and ministering to these people, they received more than they could ever give. They saw that these poor people who had nothing had the one thing we don't...Contentment.
We have to be intentional about being content. In our culture, it is so easy to focus on what else we need...more...bigger...better. No sooner do I paint one room that I am thinking about what else to do in my home. In the last few months God has really challenged me and my family to see and to look for (yes, be intentional to look for it because sadly, we could miss it...and miss His blessing that comes along with it) what is truly important in our life. And it has been an amazing journey in trusting Him.
Yes, we are rich. We are all rich. But, I think I would rather be content.
Every woman I know abhors laundry...no sooner are you done that there is more to do. And dare you skip one day and all of a sudden you are 2 days behind! But, now as I fold clothes, I thank Him for providing clothing for us. And that I have a washing machine and dryer that does most of the work for me.
We watched a Nooma video (you should check it out at nooma.com) last night about how we, as Americans, are rich. "God Bless America." Well, He already has. Now, how can America bless Him and bless others? We have homes, cars, shoes for our feet, food (a lot) to eat, and even clean drinking water. The States makes up 6% of the world's population, yet we consume 40% of its resources. And, I am not talking about living green or reuse and recycle. I am talking about being intentional, being thankful to Him who provides everything we need and often more, and giving back...passing it on.
Rob Bell talked about when he and his wife were first married and if they stayed on their very tight and little budget they could go out to eat once a month. That one night in a restaurant was so special that they cherished each delicious bite. Now, when they go out to eat, it's no big deal. In so many ways, our success just makes us poor. That makes my heart so sad...how much we have taken for granted. Do my kids think that going to McDonalds is a huge treat like I did growing up? He spoke about some friends that went to Europe and met so many wonderful people. People that in our American standards were poor. But, they came home to find that instead of helping and ministering to these people, they received more than they could ever give. They saw that these poor people who had nothing had the one thing we don't...Contentment.
We have to be intentional about being content. In our culture, it is so easy to focus on what else we need...more...bigger...better. No sooner do I paint one room that I am thinking about what else to do in my home. In the last few months God has really challenged me and my family to see and to look for (yes, be intentional to look for it because sadly, we could miss it...and miss His blessing that comes along with it) what is truly important in our life. And it has been an amazing journey in trusting Him.
Yes, we are rich. We are all rich. But, I think I would rather be content.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thank you, Lord....
Well, we are back from our trips and yes, I took pictures, and yes, they are still on my camera. In fact, I can't even find my camera, so there will be no pictures for you to view...once again...to this, I am sure you are acclimated and come to expect.
We had a Easter Egg Hunt with our LIFE group on Sunday. Isabelle was going through her eggs (in her room by herself, lest some greedy hand tried to take any of her eggs), when she comes running downstairs yelling, "Mommy, Mommy!" As I hear this thousands of times a day, I warily stop doing laundry to see what the commotion is. She says with wonder, "I have an egg that is empty! It was empty the whole time. That means Jesus is risen!" If you have never seen the Resurrection eggs craft, you need to. It is a really neat craft that we did last year with the kids in our LIFE group. She remembered that the last egg was empty to represent that Jesus indeed is risen! Thank you, Lord! This weary mom heart was blessed and taught by the wonder and excitement for You in 6 year old.
Nicky made TWO goals in his first soccer game of the season. Of course I did not have a camera with me and even if I did, you would still not have pictures to look at...but, I wish I had! He did great! I am one proud mama!! Jonathan is coaching is team and again I am amazed with how well he does with the kids and how patient and fair he is. I guess I shouldn't be amazed...that's just who he is. But, I guess seeing it as a bystander with others is a refreshing look...and one I am thankful for.
Becca is talking more...if we could just get her to give up her paci more often -- she is an addict! She constantly keeps me on my toes and keeps me laughing. Thank you, Lord!
Jonathan has had several interviews and more to come this week. We don't know what the Lord has in store, but we are trying to prepare ourselves for anything. It has been only a month and already it's a process and lesson in faith, trust, peace and patience. But, He has been speaking to me and to my heart. I so do not want to miss out on His blessing and purpose for this for me, for Jonathan and for our family. I would rather and so desire to be in His will than to be comfortable where I am...no matter what. It has made me realize how far I have to go, but He is showing me how far I have come. He is faithful. And He loves us. He loves me. He is reminding me constantly of what He has done for us. Why do I even worry? What He could want for us is so much better than what I can come up with. Thank you, Lord!
We had a Easter Egg Hunt with our LIFE group on Sunday. Isabelle was going through her eggs (in her room by herself, lest some greedy hand tried to take any of her eggs), when she comes running downstairs yelling, "Mommy, Mommy!" As I hear this thousands of times a day, I warily stop doing laundry to see what the commotion is. She says with wonder, "I have an egg that is empty! It was empty the whole time. That means Jesus is risen!" If you have never seen the Resurrection eggs craft, you need to. It is a really neat craft that we did last year with the kids in our LIFE group. She remembered that the last egg was empty to represent that Jesus indeed is risen! Thank you, Lord! This weary mom heart was blessed and taught by the wonder and excitement for You in 6 year old.
Nicky made TWO goals in his first soccer game of the season. Of course I did not have a camera with me and even if I did, you would still not have pictures to look at...but, I wish I had! He did great! I am one proud mama!! Jonathan is coaching is team and again I am amazed with how well he does with the kids and how patient and fair he is. I guess I shouldn't be amazed...that's just who he is. But, I guess seeing it as a bystander with others is a refreshing look...and one I am thankful for.
Becca is talking more...if we could just get her to give up her paci more often -- she is an addict! She constantly keeps me on my toes and keeps me laughing. Thank you, Lord!
Jonathan has had several interviews and more to come this week. We don't know what the Lord has in store, but we are trying to prepare ourselves for anything. It has been only a month and already it's a process and lesson in faith, trust, peace and patience. But, He has been speaking to me and to my heart. I so do not want to miss out on His blessing and purpose for this for me, for Jonathan and for our family. I would rather and so desire to be in His will than to be comfortable where I am...no matter what. It has made me realize how far I have to go, but He is showing me how far I have come. He is faithful. And He loves us. He loves me. He is reminding me constantly of what He has done for us. Why do I even worry? What He could want for us is so much better than what I can come up with. Thank you, Lord!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)