5 on Friday

I am linking up with 5 on Friday this week. I think this is a super cute way to document some things I want to remember from the week! So my 5 this week are.....

1) This week the girls decided to try on Gigi's wedding dress! They were too adorable and looked way too old. They felt so special I could tell and I enjoyed watching them "play brides."

2) I have been reading so of the.best.books. The first three are from a book called "Plan B" by Pete Wilson. It goes through how to handle your life if it has ended up in a plan that you never dreamed, a "plan b'' and then goes through several stories in the bible of people whose lives ended up in plan b and how God was working all through it. It is such an encouraging book. Like I would recommend it to anyone who has been through or is going through a "plan b" in life.

The last two pages are from a book called "Unglued" by Lysa Terkeurst. It is a phenomenal, insightful book that has challenged me to look deep inside myself and my reactions.

3) This week I took the girls to the zoo. It was perfect; the weather was wonderful and there was no one there because everyone is starting school. Annabelle rode a camel and I was so proud of how brave she was and the girls kept asking me to take their pictures in front of things; it was hilarious. I guess they are used me taking millions of pictures.

4) I am so thankful for this hope. This has been a crazy week in a lot of ways and I am thankful that God's promises are just as much true today as they always have been! So glad He is so constant even when I am all over the place!

5) The girls have been sharing a room and it's going surprisingly well. Annabelle asks often is she can talk until she gets tired. We think this is hilarious because we know she could talk forever. :) And we had a few nights where Adelyn wanted to have her own room but overall they are LOVING sharing a room and I am overjoyed!!

...that Christ may pitch a tent over and dwell upon me.. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I feel like there was a time in my life when life looked like a pretty little package, everything just how it should be and of course I had all of the control in all of it (or so I thought). These days I feel that God has slowly but surely pried every ounce of me believing I have any sort of control over anything in my life. Most days I sit back multiple times a day and actually think about how I have lost all control over everything in my life, as if I really had the control in the first place....

 This week has been so strange. I had just sat down to write and had written these words, "The point is, when Adam and I got married, for whatever reason, the enemy began to have it out for us and God began to allow more awful and hanious things into our lives in the short 6 years we have been married than I could have ever imagined or would have ever have had the capacity to imagine. " 

Right after I wrote those words, I found out that we had lice and the next day in the midst of trying to rid our family of lice we got the stomach bug to which Adam ended up in the hospital last night.

Needless to say, it has been a week.

In light of all of that craziness, I want to choose to say thank you God for the many blessings He has placed in my life. He has given us a nice place to stay, food to eat, and clothes to wear. (Matt 6) I have a husband who loves me and is so in love with the Lord. I have two beautiful girls who are full of life and joy. 

Finding things to be thankful for in my life in no way negates that it has been a hard week. I do not like when it is insinuated that we have so many blessings so "get over" the hardships. I just simply want to acknowledge that God has taken care of me this week and I am thankful to Him for that.

And I can also be thankful because His word says:
James 1:2-4
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

³ Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

⁴ But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full playand do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

Hebrews 12:3

Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Habakkuk 3:19

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

Hebrews 2:18

For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. 

Pregnancy Update

I had my appointment this am at 9:15. The snow was falling and falling this morning and I was nervous. But I knew no matter what the doctor said today, I was going to be ok...because I know my God wastes no suffering (John 9:3) and always always works things together for the good of those who love Him. (Rom 8:28) Nevertheless, I wanted to hear the good news, that my baby was still alive and doing not just good but great!

We got the ultrasound almost immediately and there was a heartbeat and a strong one at 150 bpm and that the baby had doubled in size since last week!! We were ecstatic! My doctor told me that if today was the first time she had seen me, she would have never even thought there had been a problem.

The doctor was so happy for us and we discussed why in the world we were told so many times the baby wasn't going to make it when it was just fine. She came to the conclusion that hormone levels going down didn't make sense at all but that it is a mystery how exactly babies are made. We know that to be true because we serve a Sovereign God who made the whole universe (Gen 1), and certainly rules and reigns over life and death! (Job 1:21)

 My doctor said since I am not past the first trimester so I am not in the clear. She suggested that I get a ultrasound next week to keep checking everything. I am glad she is being so diligent since I have had problems with this pregnancy.

When we got home we really wanted to tell the girls since we finally felt like we could all get excited....

 The video explains their reaction. It was so funny to us. Annabelle already has predicted a girl! ha!

The scripture that I had in my mind this morning was 2 Tim 1:7 God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind!

My dear friends sent me scriptures as well...
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid! John 14:27

and

O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and the earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! "I am the Lord, God of all the peoples of the world! Is anything too hard for me?? Jeremiah 32:17,27

And afterward I kept thinking Psalm 40:5:
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.

And I cannot leave this post without saying THANK YOU to ALL who have prayed for this baby! God is good whether He decided to let us have this baby in this life or not but we are so thankful to Him that right now He has decided to let us "keep" this baby!

Christmas Eve and Christmas

~Christmas Eve~

 {cookies for Santa}

 {Our "Christmas" pj's this year were pink of course!}

 ~Christmas~

 This morning as I opened the word so much scripture came to mind....

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and His name shall be called: WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6

{I loved this one this morning in particular because when I look back over my life I can see how Jesus has been each one of these things to me. He has been my counselor, the only one who really "gets it" the one with the most empathy and compassion, the one who has seen me through and promises to stick with me until the end. (Phil 1:6) He has been Mighty God performing modern day miracles before my eyes to where when I sing the song "How Great is our God" I have my own slideshow of works God has done in my presence. He is my father, my forever father, my protector, who loves me endlessly and passionately. And He is the prince of peace, the author of peace, the fighter for peace, the one who weeps when there is no peace. What a powerful scripture.}

Also, this one came to mind:

For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

{This verse instantly reminded me of this post. He understands everything and He does because He CHOSE to come and live as a human. It's just unthinkable only it really happened....}

 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil 2:5-11

{And this passage was just plain convicting. Jesus emptied Himself...I rarely do this for anyone... if for anyone it's my kids because that is absolutely what it takes to be a mom but all others I would not say I hardly ever if ever empty myself. That would require me being empty afterward and I always hide a reserve of myself for myself...always. It's part of my selfishness. This broke my heart over my sin and my lack of being like Jesus. I am the absolute worst at being a servant for my husband. I don't know why my heart in my flesh doesn't want to serve him so badly, it's sad. So conviction fell on me this morning, but with all conviction comes joy because it means that my God has not finished working on me, that He loves me enough to show me where I sin and need to be like Him. What a good God I serve. What a good good God.}



 

 {Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk!}

{This little one was on a sugar high for most of the morning. She loved it.}

 {Fun with all the new toys!}

 {Attempting to read the Christmas Story}

 {Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus}

 {And finishing the day off with a tea party.}

We stayed in our pj's all day! It was so great! Our family needed this day of rest! I made Adam's favorite parmesan chicken for dinner. We all loved it and it felt so homey and hearty! Gotta love comfort food!

Tomorrow is the big doctor's appointment. I am nervous but ok because I know that my Sovereign God has a plan that I cannot see and I DO trust Him. I mean it so sincerely.

What a fabulous day celebrating Jesus' b-day! Overwhelmed with gratitude at the sacrifices He has made for me.

"Sovereign Over Us" by Aaron Keys

My dear friend Kimberly sent me the song "Sovereign Over Us" the week of the trial and I have loved it ever since. Adam and I have listened to the song over and over again and just cherish ever line of truth.

In light of our current trial, I decided to take the song line by line and find the scripture from the Word of God for each line. I am so thankful for people who write songs straight from God's word. What a gift! Some of the lines have multiple scripture or concepts of scripture tied to them. I have just tapped the surface of the treasures found in this song.

"Sovereign Over Us" 

by Aaron Keys

There is strength within the sorrow,

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 

"weakness" in greek=want of strength, weakness, infirmity, feebleness of health or sickness, trials or troubles
There is beauty in our tears

Psalm 56:8

James 1:2-4

Romans 5:3
You meet us in our mourning,

Psalm 34:18
With a love that casts out fear

1 John 4:18
You are working in our waiting,  Sanctifying us

Isaiah 40:31

Psalm 25:1-3

Psalm 130:5

When beyond our understanding,
You're teaching us to trust

Job 42:1-5

Psalm 22:4

Psalm 9:10

 

CHORUS
Your plans are still to prosper,

Jeremiah 29:11
You have not forgotten us 

Isaiah 49:15-16
You're with us in the fire and the flood

Daniel 3:24-25

Hebrews 13:5b

Faithful forever,

Lamentations 3:21-23
Perfect in love

Psalm 100:5
You are sovereign over us

Colossians 1:16-18

Psalm 37:23-24

Philippians 1:6

Phil 2:13
Psalm 16:5

You are wisdom unimagined, 

Who could understand your ways

Job 33:26-33

Isaiah 40:28
Romans 16:27

Reigning high above the heavens,

Psalm 57:11

Psalm 47:8
Reaching down in endless grace

2 Corinthians 12:9

1 Peter 5:10

Hebrews 4:16

You're the Lifter of the lowly,

1 Peter 5:6-7
Compassionate and kind

Psalm 145:8

Romans 2:4
You surround and

Psalm 91:4

You uphold me, 

Psalm 63:8
Your promises are my delight

Psalm 119:92

Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good,
You turn it for our good and for your glory

Genesis 20:50

Romans 8:28-29

2 Corinthians 4:7

Isaiah 26:8
Even in the valley You are faithful

Nahum 1:7

Lamentations 3:21-23

Psalm 143:1

1 Corinthians 10:13

1 John 1:9

Psalm 119:37,49; 65; 68;81;89-93,107;114

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope.You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. You are good and do only good; I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.
Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.  I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

Waiting on the Lord Isaiah 40

It's 11:30. I just picked Annabelle up from school and we are headed to the Dublin Chick-fil-a to meet some friends.

The girls are hungry. They beg and beg and beg for a snack. I tell them over and over again we are headed to one of their favorite places to eat to get chicken nuggets and French fries!! They will not relent. They whine and fuss and I finally give in. (I know don't judge.) They eat away at the snacks in the car and when we get to Chick-fil-a they are not very hungry... surprise surprise.

It so reminded me of my relationship with my God. (Kids are good at that huh?) If God doesn't give me what I want when I want it I think He is withholding something good from me and a lot of times I begin to question the kind of God I serve. "Could He really be good if He withholds what I believe is good from me?" I fuss and whine in my foolishness.

God tells us in scripture over and over again that He works things out for good (Rom 8:28) and that He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us (Jer 29:11). To sum it up, He always has our very best interest at heart. Period.

(Although, I hesitate to even make a comparison to the way I parent to how God treats me, I believe some concepts are the similar and help me see His real and true character.)

All Annabelle and Adelyn can see is that they are not getting what they want when they want it. And all
I want is the best for my children, this is why I don't want them to ruin their lunch with snacks.

What if I simply chose to trust God's
timing is absolutely perfect? Trust that He is not withholding anything good from me. Trust that He wants my absolute best that's why He doesn't give me just what I want when I want it. Trust that His time table and mind so far surpass what I can see and think.

To me the ultimate test is if I can choose to be thankful in situations when I do not "get my way?" Thankfulness cannot often be "faked."
Can I say, "Lord I trust you if you give me what I desperately desire or if it's not what's best for me and I never see it?" Can I thank you any way? No matter what?

This is the true essence of our relationship with the Lord isn't it? Trust? Faith? Believing His promises in spite of what we see?

I fall short so much of the time but I want to trust and thank Him no matter what. When I see my children even desire to do the right thing and have the right attitude I am so pleased and proud of them and I know my God is the same.

He doesn't demand perfection in a hateful way. He sees our hearts and He knows our desires and He is oh so patient with us. And for that I am thankful.




12 Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth
or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
or show him the path of justice?
15 No, for all the nations of the world
are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
as though it were a grain of sand.
18 To whom can you compare God?
What image can you find to resemble him?
21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
Are you deaf to the words of God
the words he gave before the world began?
Are you so ignorant?
22 God sits above the circle of the earth.
The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
and makes his tent from them.
23 He judges the great people of the world
and brings them all to nothing.
24 They hardly get started, barely taking root,
when he blows on them and they wither.
The wind carries them off like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
26 Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
27 How can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40