Simple Things

With all of the stress in our lives lately…I have decided to focus on the simple things. To enjoy each moment I have with Troy and the boys. I think sacred and holy moments happen all the time but are we paying attention so we do not miss them.

I would like to give you a glimpse into some gold-nugget seconds we have had over the past couple of days. I will just list them at random not in any order of importance but as they come to mind.

Last night at our Lenten service we sang one of my favorite hymns, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” I glanced over and much to my delight Matthew had his hymnal open and was singing with much gusto and enthusiasm the words of the hymn a half a beat behind everyone else. Did it matter to his Mommy or to his Lord and Savior Jesus, who died on the cross he was singing about? I’m sure it brought a smile to his Savior’s face because it was sung from the very depths of his soul and somehow Matthew knew it was a holy moment of worship. I could hardly sing as the tears rushed to my eyes….Matthew, I pray you will always love Jesus with your whole heart…and long to worship Him at every opportunity.

My boys love the moon, the stars, the planets, and anything else to do with our solar system. We were studying about our solar system on the computer yesterday and there was a page we could print off so they could color the planets. Matthew came up and insisted…he needed to color the planets too. How many three year olds even know there are planets?

Last night there was a Lunar Eclipse and so when we came home we stood outside in the cold and looked at the shadow which covered about 3/4 of the moon. The boys stood in awe and wonder and wanted to know how God could make that happen.

I had one those nights where you fall exhausted into bed and even though it had only been a few minutes…I was almost asleep when Troy came into bed. I had enough energy to snuggle close to the love of my life and fall asleep in his arms. I pray that I will never take those special moments for granted.

When it was time to get up this morning…I did not want to crawl out of my nice, warm little love nest. But I have much to do today. I woke up at about 4:00 a.m. and did not really sleep much after that. I knew I would be tired and I felt cranky. I put on my w/o clothes and when I heard my sweet little cherub yell from his crib in a not so very sweet voice. Matthew was tired and he was not afraid to act it out. I spent ½ an hour soothing him when…all he wanted to do was cry and be mad at the world. During those trying moments he wrapped his arms around my neck and held tight and snuggled into my shoulder….I breathed in his sweet smell and kissed his chubby little cheeks.

I did exercise and it felt good to finish my w/o even though I did not want to do it. While I was working out I decided the boys and I would focus on the simple joys of life today. I needed to make cookies and although I knew it would be a mess a let them help make up the cookie batter. They found great delight in cracking eggs and sneaking chocolate chips on the sly.

After the first pan came out of the oven you could smell the heavenly scent of chocolate and peanut butter mixed to perfection. The boys and I sat down to a feast of warm cookies with warm gooey chocolate oozing out of them, while dipping them into our glasses of milk. It was a tasty treat which tantalized our taste buds!

I pray the Lord will fill your days with the simple things in life because in those you will find the most extraordinary moments!

Happy B-day Mom!

My Mom is an amazing woman and I see the evidence of this with each passing year. Mom and Dad were married when she was 19 years old and she had all four of us kids by the time she was 24.

Dad worked a lot of 16’s so Mom could be at home with us. My Mom did not get her drivers license until she was 27, but at the time we only had one car…and so it didn’t make much of a difference in being able to go places. Our house had a great location…we could walk to school, church, the pool, the Hockey arena, the movie theatre, and pretty much any place we wanted to go.

We did not have a lot of money…but we never went hungry and we always had fun. Mom is one of the best money managers I have ever met…she can make a dollar stretch farther than anyone I know. When I realize how much money Dad only made over the years and how we survived is a miracle and a true testimony to God’s faithfulness.

Mom and Dad made sure all of went to the dentist twice a year (insurance did not cover), we all ended up with glasses, and some of us had braces. Mom and Dad sacrificed so many things so that we would not go without the basic essentials they felt were important for their children to have.

We never went on a major family trip and most of the fun we had growing up did not require a lot of money. But I do not feel like I was deprived. I have so many fond memories of my growing up years. We had our sibling squabbles..but we really did enjoy spending time with each other. All of the neighborhood kids liked to hang out at our house…because Mom always made them feel welcomed and special. She took the time to listen to their challenges too. One of my brothers’ friends called our house the cozy cottage. I think that explains why our friends were drawn there. We did not have the lastest gadgets or most expensive toys. Our house was filled with warmth and love. God was the center of our homelife. We had family devotions and it did not matter who was visiting they became a part of it. I would like to say that I didn’t feel apprehensive of what our friends might think…but many of them thought it was really cool that our family prayed together.

Mom gave us something far more valuable than anything money could buy…she gave us her time and her love. Mom never put herself before any of us…I can only imagine how tired she must have been at times. She poured herself into raising us kids, and I am so grateful and thankful for everything she did for me.

As I get older, I realize not everyone was as fortunate as I was to have a Mother like mine. My parents have been a gift from the Lord to me…they taught me about family, love, and most importantly to have faith in God.

My Mom is always there for me and I cherish the time I get to spend with her almost every day on the phone. It is hard to live so far away from my parents but through the wonder of the internet and great phone plans we are able to communicate a lot. My boys talk to Grandma and Grandpa a lot. My Mom find great joy in listening to Jacob’s corny jokes and she loves just listening to them life. She is showing them an important lesson about time…just spending time enjoying the simple moments with them.

I love you, Mom.

My Valentine, my soul mate!

This week the world will celebrate Valentines Day. A day that is set apart for showering the one we love with romantic gifts and dinners and flowers. Over the past couple of years Troy and I have not had a lot of money for romantic gifts and dinners…but we have quickly discovered, while those things are nice, they are not required for romance.

I want to dedicate this writing to my soul-mate and my one true love, my husband Troy. There are times when I look at my handsome husband and my heart quickens with the love I have for him. I feel so very blessed to have him as my husband…and I thank the Lord for the gift I have been given.

Troy has a heart of gold and he loves deeply. His thoughts are never consumed about himself but about others. If you have him as a friend….you have a rare gift. Troy will always go above and beyond what is asked of him. If you need help, he will go above and beyond to help you. He serves his God, his family, and his church with a diligence that is beyond compare. If you compliment him, you will discover a humble man. His thought would be why would you not give you very best.

We have been blessed with a deep and abiding love. It does not change because of the circumstances of life…it remains consistent day in and day out. Our love is precious and special, but it is not because Troy and I have the corner market on romance. Nor can we be puffed with pride and think we are better than others.

Long ago, Troy and I promised each other we would base our marriage and life upon God’s word. We would ask God to be at the center of our life and help us through each day. Our wedding verse, which has become our marriage verse: “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

Troy and I are not marriage experts but we put our marriage into the Hands of the One who designed it.

Maybe you struggle with your marriage and you wonder what you might do to help make it better. Here are a few things that have made a huge difference in our marriage.

1. Never go to bed angry with each other. If you cannot work it out, agree to disagree and focus on the love you have for each other.
2. Pray with each other. If you pray together, it will bring you closer to each other and closer to God. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate prayer, just pray about what is going on in your life. We usually start with praise and thanksgiving, asking God to help and be with those who are sick, special blessings upon family and friends, and finally seeking guidance and wisdom from the Lord on whatever is going on in our daily lives.
3. Join a couples Bible Study or form one.
4. Finally, if there is an issue you cannot work out. Seek counseling from your Pastor or a trained counselor or Psychologist. There is nothing to be ashamed of and you will be amazed at you can learn about yourself and your spouse.

Happy Valentines Day Troy….I’ll save the really mushy stuff for later![:X][;)]

Storms of life

In the midst of the storm have you ever wondered why the Lord has not stopped it? With tears streaming down your face you cry out to God over and over again? WHY? WHY? WHY?

Why do relationships have to broken? Why when you try with all of your heart to restore a conflict, the other person will not listen? Why would a Mother, turn her back on her child? Why would family members want to inflict pain upon us? Why are lies believed instead of the truth? Why Lord, have you not answered our whys?

I need to learn not to ask why? But to ask my Savior, what would you have me learn, from the storm. I have learned Jesus may not calm the storm, but He can calm me.

27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)