More to life...

A phone call today from an old friend reminded me that there's a lot that's happened in this life. Here are the things I've learned so far:
1. There's nothing you can do that is not able to be forgiven by your Father.
2. When you make a mistake, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and move on. You can never undo what's already done, all you can do is move on.
3. Find things that you enjoy, and do them.
4. Everything is better with ice cream.
5. Take time to laugh. Life is too short to waste on worry, guilt, fear, and regret.
6. When you find true friends, tell them you love them, hold on to them, be there for them, and don't let them slip away... because they can be taken from you in the blink of an eye.
7. Don't waste time worrying about what other people think. Who you are is already beautiful.
8. There is no time like the present to forgive, let go, and move on.
9. The secret to a happy life is not things, a big house, more money, a nice car, how well you parent, what kind of job you have, or what you look like. The secret to life is surrender to your heavenly father, and the great adventure that follows.
10. Stand up for yourself. No one else is going to.
11. Remove expectations, then you'll never be disappointed.
12. The only person responsible for your feelings is you, and the only way to control you feelings is by taking every thought captive.
13. YOU are valuable, loveable, and WORTH loving. Period. Anyone who tells you otherwise is jealous of the value they see in you.
14. YOU are talented. Everyone, no exceptions, has their own special mix of talents. Find yours and use them.
15. Smile, and be nice. You never know how this might impact someone standing in line behind you and how they might "pay it forward."
16. Don't give up.
17. Finally, see the good in everyone. It is actually there if you look hard enough.

Meet Wesley BlogWorld!

Here's the most important thing I've done this year, besides be in love with my two other boys...

give birth to Mr. Wesley. Actually, I was just assisting God in a miracle, bringing his gift to earth through my body...

And that's pretty much who Wes is... the miracle man. He survived many things as a very small 35weeker in the NICU at Fairview Southdale... and when his time was up to come home, we've had nothing but wonderful blessings since... although it's gone by so fast, and has been such an amazing blurr of activity. My three boys...

God says, "every good and perfect gift is from above." Yes Lord, you are right again.

Satisfaction

When I first fell in love with God, there were these songs that penetrated my soul.... every now and then, the words, chorus or something reminds me of one of these songs... and my heart is filled with awe and rememberance of the way God has called me, changed me, pulled me, pursued me, and finally, hasn't stopped loving me. What good news! Usually these songs come to me while rocking one of my kids in the middle of the night, or after some time in sincere prayer. What a great Holy Spirit gift, that God keeps on talking to me!

This song is in my head... as a result of some time in Psalm 3...
"Oh let the Son of God enfold you, with his spirit and his love. Let Him fill your life and satisfy your soul. OH let him have the things that hold you, and his spirit like a dove, will descend upon your life and make you whole. Jesus, oh Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Oh let us sing this song with gladness, as our hearts are filled with joy. Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name. Oh give him all your tears and sadness, and give him all your years of pain. And you'll enter into life in Jesus name.
Jesus, oh Jesus, come and fill your lambs."

Even now, tears and awe.
Thank you awesome God.

Christmas Updates...

boys

I love candy. That's the only reason I allow the boys to get dressed up and go trick or treating... that and we know most folks where we stop by. Anyway, now that I have a baby inside me, and a 95% chance of having gestational diabetes again, I can't have it anyway. So, last night was for them, and their candy search! Owen wanted Jr. Mints for breakfast. I talked him into a banana first. It's going to be a long couple of weeks before we get rid of it all!

Faith in Troubles

1 Thessalonians 3:2,5
We sent Timothy to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from becoming disturbed by the troubles you were going through...I sent Timothy to find out whether you faith was still strong. I was afraid the tempter had gotten the best of you...

Ever been in the middle of something really hard? Where you had to sit back and watch horrible things, not being able to do one thing about it. Where the control of what was happening was completely out of your hands, and you can't do anything to make it better?

I'm in the middle of that right now, and let me tell you as frankly as possible, it sucks. I am coming unglued.

And then I come across these verses this morning, where Paul is asking the church, how strong are you? Even in troubles? I am sending Timothy to find out.

We can say we love God, we believe in his strength and power, etc.... but in the middle of the crisis, where the rubber meets the road so to speak, I am convicted by the weakness of my faith.

I am astonished by my own desire to fix it all, and not give it all to my Father... who is in complete power and control. I am perplexed by my faithlessness and inability to trust him in this process. I thought I was stronger....

So, today I go before God with weakness. Broken and unable to do anything without his divine intervention. Unable to be whoever he needs me to be without a pouring out from him. Me alone today is weak, fragile, hurt, angry, and quite scared.

Our God is a God of peace, not confusion. Apart from him, we can do nothing. I need His power, healing, and strength... to give me faith in the process of learning to trust.

Been awhile

Well, I guess life has gotten in the way of my blogger time! It has been an amazing, overwhelmingly busy week.

First of all, a higlight...

It was VBS week at our church, and our theme was about construction and building your life on a firm foundation. Just as we were learning that all things built by man eventually crumble and fall, our very own 35W bridge was collapsing. An incredible reminder that there is no other foundation other than Jesus Christ. He is the only rock that will stand the test of time. While it was bitter sweet, it was a valuable lesson for our kids this week.

Second, thankfulness...

My children and I crossed the 35W bridge twice on Wednesday on our way up to the Roseville Archiver's to deliver some samples. It is a route I take often, as well as Brian. While we are thankful for God's divine protection, we also continue to pray for those suffering because of this tragedy. I told Brian just tonight, this family, the people in our lives, are more important in this life than anything else. It was and is a reminder to be thankful.

Finally, transitions...

I have been hired by a photographer to assist her occasionally. This is an incredible learning opportunity for me and I can't wait to soak it all up! AND, our Richfield home, where we've spent several years of happiness and love, will be officially on the market Monday morning. Our new adventure begins! While we don't exactly know how it will all turn out, we are hoping that we will be able to build a home in Farmington this winter. Many things have to happen in a certain order for this to become our reality. We trust our heavenly Father during this time of change. We are mostly moving to Brian's parent's home in Eden Prairie this weekend, so that we can have our house in "showable" condition whenever it needs to be. Having a crazy busy life and two boys makes us living here while showing a home a real challenge. We are fortunate that Brian's parents have an empty house in EP...

The boys are healthy and happy, and we couldn't be more blessed.