Battleship of TEXAS

Today we had a great day just being a normal family. 

We went with our church to The San Jacinto Monument and The Battleship of TEXAS.
We packed a lunch and had a picnic.  When we were done we ate snow cones in the park. 

It was so nice to get away (even for a little while) and just be a family.  It is so easy to get caught up in life; but then the Lord gives us these little days to remind us of how good life really is.  We had so much fun and I am thankful for this day with my family. 

DailySchedule

I'm sure this will have to be revised; but it's a start. 
And no I probably will not stick to the exact time. 

Daily Schedule

(Monday – Friday)

7:30 am – Wake up. Read Bible. Pray. Get dressed.

8:00 am – Throw a load of laundry in. Start getting things set for the morning routine.

                    Breakfast/clean up for the kiddos.

9:00 am – Start School.

                    Group time – Prayer and Bible verse for the day.

9:30 am – Work books or pages

10:00 am – Work box activity. Switch out laundry. Put away dishes. Get craft ready.

11:00 am – Outside play

12:00 pm – Free play while I make lunch.

12:30 pm - Clean up and wash hands.

1:00 pm – Lunch. Clean up. Story/Quiet time.

2:00 – 3:30 pm - Nap time. Mommy quiet time.

3:30 pm – Wake up the kiddos. Signing times or other educational DVD.

4:00 pm - Craft time. Or coloring. Play dough. Etc…

5:00 pm - Free Play while I make dinner.

6:30 pm – Dinner and clean up

7:30 pm – Play with Mommy and Daddy

8:30 pm - Baths and quiet time before bed.

9:00 pm – Kiddos to bed. My prep for the next day and pick up.

10:30 pm – Go to bed!!!

Do I have what it takes? No; but HE does.

Sophia our first born is reaching the age to where it is time to start thinking about her education.  She is only 3; but already I can tell that she is becoming very bored with her everyday life of playing.  She needs more.  As I started thinking about all this I began thinking about my options.  Option 1 - We found a great little mother's day out down the street that she absolutely loved.  Option 2 -  I could try to invent ideas to try and occupy her.  Option 3 - to put her in 2 day mother's day out for the social reasons and then spend my 5 days at home with her teaching her myself.  Or we could continue on this path that we are on.  Not an option anymore.  My children need more.  I need more.     
I have found in my life that I am a very schedule oriented person.  Even though I don't have one written out I tend to do the same things in the same order every time.  I have also learned in the last few months that when something interrupts that unwritten schedule my whole world falls apart.  Not good as life always happens.  I need a schedule; but I need one that is flexible and leaves room for life to happen. 
I have gotten so off kilter lately that I have felt that I have been going around in circles.  No progress.  Now that the Lord has helped me with my relationship with Phillip I think He is moving on to my relationship with my children.  I am going to say this and you may disagree or even laugh...now that we are moving into this new stage in our lives (preschool) I must admit that infancy was easier.  I know with all the craziness of that it sounds crazy; but I think it's true.  They couldn't talk back and I could appease them with a bottle or food.  LOL!!  It doesn't work like that anymore.  I find myself losing my temper now more than ever before.  Over silly stuff.  The lessons are getting harder.  Lord help me when I have 2 teenagers in the house!!! 
In my quest for organization I am finding that not just my home needs organizing; but my life.  I have just kind of went along with the flow and now it is catching up with me.  If I don't take hold (with the Lord's help of course) of my days I am just giving them over to whatever decides it's interested.  I keep thinking about places in the Bible that talk about the unprofitable servant, and the slothful; and worse yet the house that was clean and swept. 
I could continue on; but I will get to the point.  I am horrible about planning and follow through.  That would be the Choleric part of me.  I can plan like a champ; but my follow through is lacking.  So I am asking for your prayers as I go on this journey.  It is MY job as a mother to teach my children the way to go; and I feel that need so much lately.  I have been neglectful in this area of my home and the Lord has really been dealing with me about this.  As I'm sure you can tell by my previous posts.  I want my husband and children to call me blessed.  Not because I am so great; but because I did everything I could to make them feel great!!!  I want Christ's love to shine through like never before.  How can I expect to be a true and faithful witness for the Lord if my life does not back up my words?  Lord help me.  
Once I figure it out I will post my schedule on here as a kind of accountability test.  Maybe if I know you all are watching me I will be more apt to doing it.  I am giving it a month in which I will try to work all the kinks out and then hopefully starting in September we will be off to the races.  I feel my inadequacies very strongly; but I feel the need for a change.  I know that I do not have the strength; but HE does.   

Time to SHOP!!!

Here is a little blog I have been working on for a while.  It's a little bit of my hobbies and then things I need to let go of.  In my quest to an organized and clean house I have decided what better way to get rid of my treasures than to share them with you.  Most of the things have prices on them; but on anything that's not handmade I am willing to negotiate.   ENJOY!!! 

http://trsrdtrnkts.blogspot.com/   

An end of a Challenge

Well, my 30 days have ended and I can say that my life has truly been changed.  This has changed the way I speak and even the way I think.  I actually think about the things that come out of my mouth.  Even if I don't always catch them before they fly out I do evaluate them afterward.  I am learning and am so thankful that the Lord led me to try this little challenge.  I think I may do it again just for fun!!  =D

Halleluia Praise Report!!!

A few weeks ago I gave a testimony in church about how that the Lord had delivered me from the anger and bitterness I had allowed into my heart towards my husband.  This was a humiliating thing to admit; but the Lord really did something for me. 

It had gotten to the point that before Phillip would even walk into the room I could feel it taking over.  I couldn't even speak to him civilly; and my children were even being affected by my anger.  They were learning my ways.  Lord help me!!  One Sunday night I felt like I was losing my mind as well as any salvation I had left.  I had absolutely no control over myself or my emotions.  It was horrible.  Bro. Robert Seaton got up and began talking about how that he felt that the Lord wanted to touch us.  He said that in order for us to be touched we must get rid of our PRIDE, SELFISHNESS; and ARROGANCE.  These are the 3 things the Lord had been dealing with me about. 

Pride - to proud to walk down front for help

Selfishness - By holding onto this (out of pride) and not seeking help for the benefit of my family.  They were suffering because of my pride.

Arrogance - By thinking that this could NOT happen to me.

I had reached the point that it did not matter what happened that I had to get help.  If I didn't I was going to destroy my family.  He made the altar call and I stepped out into the aisle.  We went down as a family.  We went down for ME.  I needed help!!
Needless to say that by the time I got to the end of the prayer line I had been delivered.

I told you the background so that you would understand the victory part better =) 

One of the things that I had been so angry about was Phillip not being able to be at church with me.  Once again not thinking of him; but my own selfishness I would get so mad because I had to go ALONE.  That is the key word.  I felt alone.  I feel like this is where the devil started talking to me.  I failed to realize that Phillip hated it to.  He didn't WANT to go to work and miss church; but he has no choice.  He hates missing church just as much if not more than I hate him not being there.  For now he is right where the Lord wants him and in this economy I am just really thankful that he has a job.  I don't know what I was thinking. 

This Sunday night I feel like the Lord tested me on this a bit.  Well maybe not the Lord, I don't know; but the whole service was on marriage.  It was really a neat little service.  Very straight forward in a lot of ways; but very needed too!!  Phillip had to work so he had to miss it.  At the end of this service all the married couples gathered down front and sang the song "At the End of the Trail" to each other while they held hands.  It really was very sweet. 

As I was watching them I felt that feeling of sadness (subtle...not full blown anger as before) as I watched them and thought "I sure wish Phillip was here".  As soon as that thought crossed my mind I pushed it away and thought "He's not here; but my heart is there with him.  Lord touch him.  Let him feel you right now".   I almost started crying.  Well I am now as I write this.  I feel the Holy Ghost backing me up.  I had an opportunity to allow that anger and bitterness back into my life; but the Lord created a way of escape for me once again.  Instead I prayed for him.  Phillip may not physically be there with me; but I know without a shadow of doubt that his heart is there.  He would much rather be sitting beside me in church than working with a bunch of worldly men.  =o) 

As I was driving home in my mind I held Phillip's hands and told him I love him and I am so thankful that he puts his own needs and wants aside for our family.  How can I not do the same?  How can I not lay down my life for my friend...my best friend. 

This is my shout of VICTORY!!!! 

Thankful

Knight in Shining Armor

Today's 30 - Day Challenge

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD." (Psalm 31:24)


You have almost completed the "30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge." Perhaps it has taken you a tremendous amount of courage to speak words of ecouragement consistently to your husband. Courage comes as we place our trust in God. Have faith that God will continue to work long after your encouraging words have been shared.

There are lots of "tough guys" in the world, but true courage comes from the Lord. Does your husband exhibit the courage to take an unpopular stand, perhaps even to stand alone against evil? Is he courageous in his faith? Does he work hard to change injustice? Is he a stickler for the truth? Does he protect you or your family from the attacks of the Enemy?

Psalm 27:14 says this kind of courage comes from "waiting" on the Lord for His strength. If your budget allows, "award" your husband with a medal, trophy, framed picture of a brave knight, or some other token that represents his courage as a man of God. Praise evidences of your husband's courage in protecting you, your marriage, your family, or your home.

 
^ I had a hard time figuring out how to do this and make it fit me; but this is how I did it.  
 
I bought this little knight figurine and then looked up the definition of knight.  I then put this letter and the knight in a box with a bow and gave it to him. 
 
He actually thought it was really sweet.  =0)
 
 

 

Dear Phillip,


I know this gift is a little odd; but it does have a purpose.

By definition – a KNIGHT is:

- a member of the warrior class (strong, mighty, powerful)

- holds a position of honor and prestige (In our family you hold the highest position, the head of our home; and we respect you as such. You are loved and honored by us.)

- sworn to uphold values (you daily show us your love, loyalty, courage; and your commitment to our family.)

- servant (you daily lay down your own wants, desires, hopes, and dreams to make sure we have all that we need.)

You by definition are a knight!!

You are our knight in shining armor and we…I love you with all my heart.

Crushing of the Rose

It takes the crushing of the rose…


Someone visited our church a while back and talked about that song; and as I laid here in bed tonight thinking about it I decided I couldn’t sleep, so here I am.

I know in my own life as well as some of those of you I have talked to personally the Lord seems to be giving us a little special attention. It seems like the Lord is down on His hands and knees and really working in our garden. I know that in me He is rooting out some things that have been there for years. Some that exist and we have been completely unaware of. I’m talking about things that have shaped the way we think, act; and feel. Things that have been so much a part of our nature that when they are gone you are surprised at how different you feel. Those things.

I remember hearing a local minster here talking one night about walls; and how that we can even build walls of protection around us so that we prevent the Lord from working on us. I remember him saying that we think because nothing is going major wrong in our lives that we’re doing alright; but in truth we are going nowhere. That really struck home with me. (song – Lord My Heart Is Open…has a whole new meaning) That you even have to open yourself up and say “Ok Lord, try me. I want to be clean”. Then when He starts that process we have to resist the temptation to hide behind those walls again. We have to hold ourselves onto the Potter’s Wheel. Bro. Brown often says we need to say that eternal yes and I wonder if maybe this is part of it. Yes Lord. It is often said that the Lord is a gentleman and He stands at the door and knocks. He does have the power to knock down that door if He chooses; but He chooses to leave that decision up to us. Will we open the door and let Him in to look around number one and then allow Him to ultimately clean house?

As I was thinking about these things I thought about my own life recently. I know that the Lord has been rooting out things. This is a tough process, as one who has lived behind walls for so long it is hard not to run for them at every opportunity. I can even name my walls I’ve lived behind them so long. =0) In my mind I understand that this is a process and that it is necessary; but to my heart, my emotions, my feelings I still cry OUCH!!! I think for me it is harder to nail myself to the cross. I am the one who has her legs and one hand nailed with the other hand free…just in case. Lord help me.

We may not know why the Lord has allowed things to happen or feelings to surface; but have faith that the LORD knows what He’s doing. If you let Him have complete control we will understand it better bye and bye. Go to Him. Let Him have His way. Just think when that root is gone out of your soil the Lord can go back and fill it up with good ground. All you will have lost will be the weed.

Don't know who wrote this; but I love the words:

"Hold on. Hold on.

Through every storm HOLD ON.

Even in the Darkest night

We walk by faith and not by sight.

Hold on. Hold on."

Radio Feed - 30 Day Challenge

If you haven't already signed up to do this here is the radio spot of them talking about it.  It is wonderful.    This challenge has been amazing.  It is like we are dating again.  And all it took was me commiting to make him feel respected.  Thank you Lord for the wonderful man you have given me.  Thank you for leading me to this challenge.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10760

Stagnant

Stagnant - You can be happy and thankful for where you are; but in order to not become stagnant you must keep pressing for more. Be content; but not to the extent that you no longer want more of Him.


"I'm gonna keep on working till He comes till He comes..."

That was my thought for the day.

PRESS ON toward the mark.

Sometimes it's ...a fight; but it's never a game.

His Heart Doth Safely Trust

Pro 31:11 -12

-The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.


-She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Yesterday this scripture kept going over and over in my mind until I had to go look it up.  As I read it I began to think about what it really was saying. 

IF the wife will treat her husband well and not evil...then her husband will feel safe enough to give her his whole heart. 

His whole heart.  His whole devotion.  His whole faithfulness.  He wont have any need to fill that part of his heart with anything other than you!!

One reason that a husband may feel afraid to give us his whole heart is because maybe he has done that in the past (maybe more than once) and has lived to regret it.  Maybe (for lack of a better example) he has said to himself "one more time" and handed you his heart and you promptly placed it into a meat grinder.  I can say this because I have done this over and over myself.  I have apologized, to only turn around and do the same things again.  I know that there will be times that mistakes will come; but at the same time I have to actually be TRYING not to make them.

I feel like this scripture was talking to me.  For so long I have griped and griped about wanting that whole hearted perfect relationship when in truth I WAS THE ONE preventing that very thing from happening.  Could it be possible that I was sabotaging myself???  I think so.

If every time my husband gives me his heart I spend the next day, month, year picking the rest of him apart what's to stop him from taking his heart back; and worse yet someday giving up completely and giving his heart to someone else?  Wow, that's a sobering thought!!  I don't want my husband to feel safe with anyone; but me.  I want to be the one that he gives his whole self to.  Next to the Lord I WANT TO BE THE ONE!!  I want him to feel safe with me.  I want him to be able to trust me in everything.  I want him to KNOW that I will stand beside him forever.  If I want him to be the head of our home then I have let him know that I will follow!!!

I know that this is sobering; but the Lord is really working in our home and for that I am so thankful.  A while back the Lord dealt with me that the greatest calling (regardless of what I do for the church) I have been given right now is to be the keeper of our home.  It is my responsibility to keep the bad out and fill it with the good.  I asked the Lord to help me with this and I feel that He is.  By no means has this been an easy thing, and it has stirred up all kinds of things; but I really firmly believe that the Lord is cleaning house.  The Lord is moving His church on and He is starting individually.    

Day 9 - Husband Encouragement Challenge

Well it is only day 9 of this challenge and I must admit that this has been a really eye-opening experience.  By doing my best to not say negative things and take more time to say positive things to my husband I have seen a real difference in our home.  Not just on his part; but mainly on my part. 

His part - He seems a lot happier and more smiley (if that makes any sense). 

We have done a lot of laughing together and this may seem sad; but it is just the truth...when you have built a relationship on negative communication it actually feels weird to be...happy.  I feel like we are learning each other all over again.  Learning how to say nice things to each other and not hurtful.  We are having fun doing things FOR THE OTHER PERSON.

My part - I believe that by spending more time looking for things I can compliment him on it has taken my focus off all the little annoying things.  Which in turn has made me much happier.  Instead of looking at the dark negative things I feel like I have been shown the light!!

It is funny how something as simple as this challenge could have such a great impact on our home.  Can't wait to see what else this month holds for us.  Praise the Lord!!!

Day 5 - 30 Day Challenge

I signed up for a 30 Day Encourage Your Husband Challenge and today's assignment was to tell my parents and his how I feel about my husband. This is something surprisingly hard and embarrassing for me to do. I am fine sharing how I feel about most things; but this seems to be so private it's intimidating. I do however want to do this challenge whole heartily so here goes.


When I was a little girl I always imagined being married and having my own family. Like most little girls I had it all planned out. I can already see in my daughters this natural wifely and motherly instinct taking hold. It is funny how that we fall in love with the idea of being a wife and mommy before really knowing what all that will entail.

When Phillip was 11 he moved to Houston, TX. From the first moment I saw him I knew that he was the man/boy for me. Some say that at that age you can't possibly know; but I did. As our lives went on I dated others; but always would come back to Phillip. None could compare. He was the one!!

When we got married I was in love with the idea of love. I knew that I loved Phillip and that I wanted to spend my life with him; but I had no idea what a wife was supposed to be and I will readily admit that for the last 11 years he has put up with a lot. He has never left...physically or mentally. He has a lot more patience and mercy than I have ever thought about having. He truly LOVES me.

Phillip is a GREAT provider. He willingly sacrifices his wants and even his needs to give everything he has to me and our two girls. He gives his time, his body; and every last cent of his money to make a life for us that he feels we deserve. I hope that one day I will actually DESERVE it.

Phillip is a FANTASTIC father. He loves his children more than life itself and would lay down his life if it was required for them. He is caring and considerate with them. They are his BIGGEST fans. =D

Phillip is my BEST FRIEND. There is no one besides the Lord that loves and cares for me the way he does. He takes more abuse than any man I know and still will reach over to comfort and listen to me.

Phillip is my PROTECTOR. When he is gone I have a hard time sleeping because he sleeps with his arms around me most of the night. In his arms I am safe. I know that I can trust him because I KNOW that he loves me.

I could go on and on; but this note would get very mushy very fast. The truth is that I love him more than just about anything. I do not deserve how good he is to me; but I do intend to spend the rest of my life trying my best to prove to him that I love and appreciate him.


I don't just love him for the things that he does for me; but I love him for just being there. Staying when I know that most men would have run the other way. For making me fee like the most important woman in the world.

I love you Phillip...more than any words I type could ever say. You are the man that goes beyond my dreams!!!



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30 Days to Encourage Your Husband *Day 3 Update below

I am a person that is very hard on myself.  I feel like I KNOW the teachings of this Body and so that leaves no excuses for mistakes.  I am working on this.  As well as being hard on myself I have realized that I expect the same of my husband and my children.  I know that these are unrealistic expectations and I am working on that as well.  In all of my soul searching the last few months I have realized that I can be very merciful and patient with others; but when it comes to my husband and my children I am critical and harsh.  This realization is nothing short of painful for me.  To realize that you have hurt the people closest to you is heart breaking to say the least.  I have been trying to rebuild this relationship; but have found that sometimes the only thing that I can do is pray and keep my mouth SHUT!!!  I have watched my daughter Sophia and she wants to please me so much and I want her to know more than anything that I love her and accept her.  I have the job as her mother to help shape her confidence in herself.  I want her to believe in herself.  Both of my girls.  And my poor husband...he works so hard to provide not just our needs; but all of our wants.  He does a great job and I spend 90% of my time pointing out his flaws instead of praising him for the good he does.  Lord help me!!  This brings me to the title of this post.  I was online and looking at one of my favorite sight's and this was the article that popped up.

  http://www.reviveourhearts.com/challenge/husband-encouragement/#comments

It is something that I think I am going to try.  For the details click on the link; but I wanted to post it in case others were interested. 

I will try to post any interesting things that occur.  Hopefully I will regain the trust and confidence from him that I so desire.  I am determined that if I will let the Lord help me HE WILL!!!  (Per my Aunt Karen =)  He has already so many times before!!


**Day 3 - So far so good.  I have been doing my best to NOT say anything negative to Phillip or about Phillip.  This has been really encouraging because instead of focusing on the negative I have been looking for the positive.  It is amazing how this has changed MY outlook.  We have had a few very pleasant days.  I am excited to see what the rest of the month holds!!

Help Button

I had this silly little thought. You know when you are in a site like FB and you are having trouble with it...there is a little button usually at the bottom of the page that days HELP? I got to thinking about that button and that how if you need help you can just push that little button; and this nice little box pops up with all these different things you may need help with. Sometimes it will give you options or steps to try with that subject. It also gives the option that if your "problem" is not listed below you can run a troubleshooting session on your computer. If that doesn't help there is another option to try...you may need to run a diagnostic test on your computer. I got to thinking about this. Sometimes spiritually when you push that help button your "problem" pops right up with all the directions on how to solve it; but then there are other times when your "problem" is not listed. It's at that time you need to allow the Holy Ghost to run a diagnostic check. Allow it to go down deep and touch that part of you that is malfunctioning. You would be surprised at the problems that can be fixed by just allowing the Holy Ghost free reign in your life.




And that was my thought. =D



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Humbled

As I was driving home yesterday I was singing the song the Lord had given me this weekend.  As I was singing I heard my daughter (Sophia) trying her best to sing along with me.  I stopped to listen and she said "Mom, sing it again".   I began to sing again and then after a few times asked her to sing it for me.  She said " No mom, you sing it with me".   I could hardly sing I was so choked up.  Some of my fondest memories are singing in the car with my mother; and there on that very day I got to sing in the car with my daughter.  It humbled me to hear the words the Lord had allowed me to write down for Him, coming from her mouth.  She loves to sing and I hope that she always holds these songs near to her heart.  The songs of the Body of Christ.  The songs that overflow with this truth that I love and hold so dear.  Right now 2 songs that she sings over and over are "Lord I Want To Go", and "I Came Here To Praise You".  I am so blessed.  Maya also loves to sing.  Right now her favorite song is Veggie Tales or anything that her sister is singing at the time.  She does her very best to sing right along.  I am so very blessed.  Thank you Lord for planting the seeds and Lord help me to help you cultivate them into something that you can use.

The Remedy

A little chorus the Lord gave me this weekend.

I was listening to Bro. George Wright and he said "He is the remedy for all humanity"; and my mind began going ninety miles and hour.


I've got the remedy
For all humanity
Just come and follow me.

If you'll give up control
I can make you whole
And set your spirit free.

If you will follow me
Then I will lead you
My people you will be.

So come on my child
Come on, let go
And let me set you free.

Joy in the Camp

"Joy is not the absence of storms, it's learning to dance in the rain."

I saw this quote somewhere and my mind began working.

Finding joy in the midst of chaos is sometimes hard.  Well, honestly it is always hard.  Joy hides in places your carnal mind wont look.  Joy is something that you can't buy, you can't sell; and if you look for it in the flesh you wont find it.  Joy goes BEYOND happiness.  I can pretend to be happy; but in order to find true joy...that flows from within.
Joy comes when you look at your circumstances and see a bigger picture.  That this chaos is somehow for our good even though we can't see why yet.  I know that sometimes it is hard to see the BIG picture; but it's at those times that the Lord gives us grace.  Grace for what?  To endure.  Why must you endure?  You endure because you have been given hope of a promise.  A promise of life eternal. 
I am not saying that I have this down pat.  I do NOT!!!  I have to continually remind myself of this; and when I can't seem to remember it the Lord is so faithful to remind me.  He send a song, a testimony; or a message my way that helps me remember why I endure.  That feeling begins to wash over me and I remember.  That peace, and comfort; and yes...even JOY returns to give me that little push to go a little further. 

"It's not by might, nor by strength; but by my spirit..."

He said He would never leave us or forsake us.  You may find yourself in the midst of chaos; but look around He's right there.  Don't allow yourself to end up in the ditch of sadness, complaining; or depression.  Call on the name of JESUS!!!!  If all you can do is stand in your living room and holler HELP, holler help!!!!!  HE WILL HEAR YOU!!!!! 

"Then you ask me why I love Him.
Why I choose to walk this way.
Why His service it gets sweeter everyday.
It's the only life worth living.
And it makes my world complete.
Oh THAT'S what Jesus means to me!!!!"

Just A Note

I am going to be adding a lot in the near future.  I have felt for a long time to do this and so slowly; but surely I am going to put my hand to the plow.  I hope that the things that I post are uplifting, encouraging; and that they give you a little hope in the midst of the chaos.  I know that everyday I learn something from my children and my husband.  We have been given the greatest classroom opportunity...LIFE.  I am excited and humbled at the chance to share mine with you.  So...here we go.  If you want you have my permission to recommend this to someone; but I do ask that it is someone that you believe is trustworthy since I do have pics of my children on here.  Just have them send me their email and I will be happy to add them.  Thank you for taking the time to read a few pages out of my book.