Blessings and Lessons

Well, it has been many moons since my last post!  Since we last met, my husband and I have joyfully discovered that we are expecting our THIRD little blessing from the Lord, due April 2012!  We are incredibly thankful to the Lord for His continued favor on our little family.  Since that news in early August and until the past couple of weeks, I have been utterly exhausted and nauseated, which has kept me from blogging as much as I would've liked to. (Praise the Lord some of that has subsided!)  I've been dying to sit down and get some thoughts out, but between chasing my one and three year old and trying to nap when they do, there just wasn't time. :-)

So now, here we are...finally.  Where to begin?  I have several thoughts kind of jumbled in my head all scrambling their way to the front of the line to be the first one out! 

Since this one is fresh on my mind, I'll start here.  Last night I went to the basement with my sweet 3 year old daughter so that she could help me build a fire in our wood stove.  She was happy to help bring me small pieces of wood when I would request them.  I realized as we were sitting there, watching the fire begin to consume the logs, that I could simply finish up the task and head back upstairs.  Instead, I looked at my daughter and began to teach a lesson.  I asked her, "Is this fire a good thing (while holding my thumb up) or a bad thing (while holding my thumb down?")  She didn't know quite how to answer.  So I continued, "The fire is a good thing because it provides heat to our home and keeps us warm when it's cold outside, but it has to be contained inside the stove, or it will destroy the whole house."  I began to try to explain boundaries to her, as I outlined the stove with my fingers, "this is the fire's boundary.  If the fire were to cross it's boundary that we've set, it would be very destructive, a very bad thing."  I went on to explain that like the fire's boundary, we have boundaries set in place by our authority, who is ultimately God.  The boundaries aren't meant to restrict us, but to protect us from destroying our lives.  I told her how important it is to trust the authority that God has given to our parents and to our leaders. They are placed in our lives to help guide us in the path and boundary that He has set for us.  Oh, how I pray daily that I'm able to point her to Christ!  The responsibility of shaping a heart is overwhelming at times!  I pray that she remembers that small lesson (I'm sure it will be reiterated many times this winter:) and that she begins to view the boundaries that her daddy and I have set and that the Lord has set as freeing, not restricting.  I also pray that I'm able to remember that lesson as a wife and mommy.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.  Proverbs 2:20


Going back to the announcement of our new blessing... I have to share these thoughts.  When our son was born, we had lots of comments made such as, "Oh, now that you have one of each, are you done?"  Or, "How perfect, a boy and a girl!  Now, you can be done..."  Now, I know these well-meaning folks are only being polite in their own way, but I was left to wonder what kind of responses I would get if we were to be blessed yet again with, Heaven help us, another child.  After all, the average American family has 2.1 children and most of the time if you do "try" for another child, it's because the first two were of the same gender.  Now, let me say this - I most certainly do not find it wrong to only have two children!  I believe that family planning is a personal matter between couples and the Lord.  For us, though, at this time we are trusting the Lord with the size of our family and the timing that He chooses.  So when we did happily discover that we were expecting again with the youngest only 12 months old, I was not excited about the comments from others that I might receive.  And sure enough, when we announced at 9 weeks gestation, we had the typical comments.. "You do know what causes that, right?"...."Might want to check the water at your house!" .... "You sure are brave!" .... "Better you than me!".... even, "You know the Bible says 'Go and make disciples, not go and make children."  Wow.  Now, do I think these folks were trying to be rude?  No I truly don't.  But those things still aren't very edifying.  I love when people say to me in the grocery store when I have both of my toddlers and I'm visibly pregnant.. "Oh, bless your heart!  You sure have your hands full!"  My response now... "Yes, thank you, I sure do! They are full of such beautiful things!"  And when I hear, "You do know what causes that, right?" I respond with, "Well, we tried keeping our toothbrushes in separate cups, but the kids just keep on coming!" ;-)  I LOVE my little family!  And I'm so thankful and grateful that the Lord has blessed us with children.  They are blessings, not inconveniences.  Does it take a little more planning and strategy to go grocery shopping?  Yes!  But honestly, I love going with them.  They don't always act perfectly (actually I had one throwing a fit last time we made a trip) but if I never take them along and teach them how to conduct themselves in public, then all I can expect to have are loud and obnoxious children.  Babies aren't born knowing how to control themselves, be respectful, and obey.  They must be trained!  And we have been given, as parents, that overwhelming, sometimes daunting task.  If there's one thing I've learned in the past 3 years of training children, it's this - parenting is not for the faint of heart!  Honestly, I do get exhausted.  It's tough.  But here are my promises:

And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap a harvest IF we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 (emphasis mine)

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:29-31

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:11

Praise the Lord for His promises!  I, for one, am believing and receiving them!

Until next time...

Seeking the counsel of the Lord

Hello friends! I wanted to share a little something that the Lord showed me a couple of days ago as I was spending some time in the Word...

In Joshua 9, the Israelites were in the process of driving out the former inhabitants of Canaan, the land the Lord had promised to give them. Following victory over the people of Jericho and Ai, word was spreading of the great power of the God of the Israelites. As the other kings of the cities of Canaan began to hear of this victorious nation, they banded together to fight Joshua and the people.  But when the inhabitants of Gideon got word, they when to Joshua and deceived him by pretending to be travelers from a far away land, hoping to make a treaty with the people that they might spare their lives.  They wore old garments, their wineskins were torn and mended, and their bread was dry and moldy.  Verse 14 says, "then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask the counsel of the Lord." So Joshua made a covenant with the Gibeonites and allowed them to live.  How often do we, perhaps in our pride, trust our own judgement and fail to seek the counsel of the Lord, only to be faced with enemies with whom we have blindly made treaties?

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Are we being diligent to seek the counsel of the Lord in every decision, both big and small?  I'm certainly being reminded to do so!

Until next time...

What kind of fruit are you bearing?

Well, it's been awhile. ;) My absence was not intentional and I have had some thoughts rolling around in my head for a little while now, but I'm just now making the time to sit down and get them out, which always makes me feel better!  For the writers reading this, you know what I mean!

So I have been teaching my almost 3-year-old daughter about the fruit of the Spirit and what they mean.  Especially self-control. ;)  We have been discussing them for several weeks and the other day when we were in line at Sam's, she just couldn't understand why we had to wait in line.  She was hungry and more than ready to go.  Thus, began a discussion of patience and what it means to be patient.  It means that we wait, but not only wait, to wait with gentleness and joy (had to throw in a couple more fruits while I was at it) and not with a begrudging spirit.  I asked her what it meant to have fruit of the Spirit.  I said as I held up my right arm, "Does that mean that Mommy has bananas hanging from her arms?"  She, of course laughed and said, "No, that's silly, Mommy!"  As I pointed to the back of my ear, I asked her, "Does it mean I have grapes growing behind my ears?!"  Another laugh ensued and then she replied ever so sweetly, "Mommy, it means you have fruit in your heart!"  I had never explained that concept to her before, but her precious little heart was beginning to understand what it meant to have a pure heart filled with good things.  Tears welled up in my eyes as I told her that, yes, that's exactly what having fruit of the Spirit means. 

I was praying a few days later asking the Lord for wisdom, as I do daily, on how to shape these precious souls that the Lord has blessed me with.  I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that they will model the behavior that they see displayed in my life.  If I am impatient, they will be impatient.  If I'm not gentle in my approach with them, they will not learn to be gentle in their approach with others.  It is an overwhelming responsibility at times to be the one they look to on a daily basis for an example of Jesus, which is why it is so crucial for me to spend time daily imploring the Lord for wisdom and asking Him to mold me into who He wants me to be as a mother.  I must realize that I can do nothing apart from the Lord and His guidance and constantly (sometimes hourly) seek His direction.  I am certainly still learning this lesson! 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25 

Until next time...

What kind of fruit are you bearing and who is imitating that fruit because of your example?

It won't be like this for long...

Happy Resurrection Weekend!  What absolutely beautiful weather the Lord has blessed us with as we celebrate His death, burial and resurrection.  I will forever be grateful for His sacrifice. 


I was just putting my daughter down for a (past-due) nap a few minutes ago and was selfishly trying to get her down in a hurry when she sweetly asked me, "Mommy, will you lay down with me while I go to sleep?"  How could I resist?  So I climbed up in her bed and lay down beside her.  We sang several of her favorite songs as she played with her stuffed animals (which is our normal night-night routine) and then she peacefully drifted off to sleep.  I do this often when I stay long enough for her to fall asleep, but I laid there for several minutes just watching her.  I thought of when she was a tiny baby and how helpless she was and now there lays before me an almost 3-year-old who can walk, talk, eat, dress herself and use the potty.  Of course, I so enjoy seeing her grow and mature, but sometimes my heart aches at how quickly time flies.  There are some moments (like the one I just had) that I wish I could freeze-frame in my heart and cherish just a little while longer.  But alas, the clock keeps ticking and each day brings about new experiences, developments and independency.  Even though I look forward to those new dynamics of my relationship with my daughter, I don't want to miss today.  The things that I needed to get done while she was asleep will be there later and I will tackle them then, but today, my precious little girl wanted me to lay down with her until she fell asleep....and that's just what I did. 


I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook status the other day: "If you have the choice between cuddling and cleaning, always choose the cuddling."  It's so true.  The other things can wait.  They grow up so very fast. 


The first time I heard this song on the radio, I literally had to pull the car over because I was sobbing.  If you haven't heard it, you'll see why when you watch this video.  Might want to go ahead and get the tissues now.  ; )

Until next time..

A story of the Father's relentless love

First, allow me to say welcome to my very first blog.  I am a newbie to this whole thing, but I wanted a place to be transparent in my daily victories, failures and struggles as a wife and mom and about the lessons the Lord is teaching me along the way.  With that being said, what's posted here may not always be eloquent or worth your time reading, but I pray that it always accomplishes at least one thing: to glorify our Heavenly Father. 


I had an incident with my 2 and a half year old daughter this week that prompted me to begin this blogging journey.  It always amazes me what the Father teaches me through my everyday dealings with my children.  My daughter is a precious, caring little soul, but she is very strong-willed.  I had been reading The Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson and became determined to "win" the battles (worth fighting) that ensued with her.  I was not going to allow an almost 3-year-old to dictate my world.  Wednesday came along and presented the first battle (of many, I'm sure) since my new determination to bend her will.  Her baby brother was down for a nap, I was vacuuming the floor and she was playing on the couch.  All was well until I looked and she was standing on the couch, which is a no-no in our house.  I calmly told her to sit down and not stand on the couch, as I resumed my cleaning.  A minute later, I looked and she was again standing on the couch, with a look on her face that said, "What are you going to do about it?" She was obviously testing my authority.  I turned off the vacuum, took her on my lap and explained that because she disobeyed, she would have to have a spanking.  After spanking her, I gave her a hug and told her how much I loved her, which is our normal thing after discipline.  I then kept her on my lap to talk about the importance of obedience, but she was ready to get down and there began a 45 minute battle of the wills.   She kicked, screamed and cried all the while I stayed calm and had my arms gently resting around her waist, telling her if she would sit still and quiet, I would allow her to get down.  She was sweating and her whole body was flush red, but I knew that if I let her have her way, she would know she could wear me down and eventually I would give in.  So I stayed the course praying all the while that the Lord would bend her will and help her to submit.  I had in my heart that I was going to make her submit, when the Lord quietly whispered to my heart, "Stephanie, you cannot make her submit to your will anymore than I would make you submit to mine.  But I can guarantee you this, I won't give up until you do." Oh, what a true word that was!  Even when I'm kicking and screaming and doing everything in my power to fight against the One who knows best, He still has His loving arms wrapped gently around my waist, waiting patiently for me to lay down my arms and rest.  Once my daughter finally gave up 45 minutes later, she fell like a limp noodle in my arms and sobbed sorrowfully for a good 5 minutes, as I told her how much I loved her and wanted her to trust me that I know best for her.  And you know, she still has moments of disobedience, but I can tell that her will is beginning to be shaped.  Praise the Lord that He never gives up on His children, even when we are determined to have our own way.  I have an investment in my children and I have a deep desire for them to become something they will not become, if they're not shaped and guided.  It's the same with our Heavenly Father.  His relentless love chases after the ones He calls His own until they stop fighting their own wicked, deceitful hearts and submit to His will.  He has an investment in us and desires for us to become something we cannot on our own.  I am thankful for that relentless pursuit.  

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!..."  Matthew 23:37

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you..."  Jeremiah 31:3

Until next time..