Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Oh how my soul is longing for the deeper things of God! I really cannot explain the change He has been doing in my heart in the last two weeks. It feels almost sacred. Just between Him and me. It's oh so beautiful and so stretching. Here I thought I had surrendered all of me, to only realize that I have not surrendered enough. There is still too much of me.

Oh God! Let there be more of You and less of me!

I find myself being drawn to Him more often during the day than I used to. Even the small, tedious chores seem more enjoyable as of late.  Knowing that He loves me....I am so undeserving of such love! Nothing can compare to it. I am constantly at the edge of tears. My family probably thinks I'm depressed! haha If they could just see the inside of me that is feeling overwhelmed beyond what facial expressions and emotions can express!  I don't quite know how to handle it.
There are times when I feel as though my heart will explode with joy and then there are others when I am so humbled that I feel like I can't get up. Does that sound depressing? I don't mean for it to be! It truly is not! Though sometimes being pruned can feel a bit painful, I believe it is only for a time. I think He just wants me to trust Him. I wonder if any of this change hurts because I am still trying to hold on to things too tightly. He shouldn't have to pry things out my life! He is worthy  to have it all without explanation, is He not? ....Oh more of You and less of me....

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

"And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” - Luke 2:12

May the Lord bless you this Christmas season. My prayer for you is that you will draw closer to Him this year than you ever have before!



Friday, December 16, 2011

The Mountain Top

Step...step...little step....step.... step....step...BIG step....Hang on!....step...step....don't look down, look up! ...step....deep breaths...step...step....step...stop. You made it. A cry of joy escapes your lips!
You're at the top of the mountain. You climbed this mountain for what seemed to be so long, but now you've made it and the view, oh wow the view... it is not disappointing. If fact, it's gorgeous and you don't ever want to leave this spot.  It's so peaceful up here. The journey was definitely worth it, even despite the unknown you experienced and all the undiscovered things you found. There were also things that you have seen before, but think differently of now. Some of which were good and some not so much. In fact, many of them made you feel squeamish. 

 Nothing stopped you though. It was like something was pulling you, drawing you to the top. What more could there be? Ahhhh yes, this is beauty at it's best. The view is perf- but, wait, what is that? Another mountain, even higher than this one?! And it's obstructing part of your view. How can this be? 
Suddenly there is a pulling at your heart again. It's drawing you to that next mountain top. Where you are right now is so wonderful; how could you leave? And the base of that next mountain looks even more undiscovered and unknown that the one you just left behind. Can you go through this again? Yes, not only can you, but you want to. Joy has suddenly filled your heart knowing there is more to be discovered. And so, you take your leave of this place. You will never forget it. It helped shape you into who you are today. But there's more......Deep breath.......you don't look back........step.........step.........step................

When I began to write this post, I didn't know where or how to start. The story written above, is more of a parable. It's my poor attempt at trying to explain the journey the Lord has me on right now. I feel so in love with Him, but I also feel like He is calling me to a higher place with Him. And I'm somewhat nervous about it...in a good way. So, I place my hand in His and allow Him to lead me. 

Lord, Thy will be done. 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

He is our Healer/ Malachi's 1st birthday

   I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. We have had a lot going on since John came home from Sudan. The biggest event was John getting sick with malaria the week he returned. It was pretty scary, but, praise God, after being in the hospital for five days and 25 pounds less, he was able to come home and has been recovering very well ever since :) He's pretty much back to normal now and is steadily gaining weight back. Thanks to all who were praying for him and our family as a whole during that time!

A few days after John came home from the hospital, Papa and Amma came down from New York for Thanksgiving. As usual, we had a wonderful visit and I look forward to their next visit on New Year's.



From left to right: Papa, Matthew, Jeremiah, Me, John, Malachi and Amma

Krystal's family joined us for Thanksgiving dinner too! We had a full house and it was so much fun.

"Siblings", maybe not by blood, but, definitely in our hearts.

Now the big news! Little Malachi Mutiso turned one on December 3rd. We celebrated his birthday early on Thanksgiving day while everyone was here. He wasn't quite sure what to think about the cake :)

Thanksgiving party
Actual birthday
Malachi is so lovable, kissable, and such a huge blessing in this family. I know God must have big plans for his life! 

Okay, fast forward to today....There's only one week and three days 'til Christmas! Time flies by way too fast sometimes. I still haven't bought most of my gifts yet. Am I panicking? No, not really. Just feeling a bit rushed and I HATE anything about Christmas being rushed. So, that being said, I just may hit the internet to look for those last minute gifts! 

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Health, birthday and homecoming

   These last couple of weeks have been so busy! I find it amazing how much more time little ones require when they are sick. All three boys were ill and poor Jeremiah and Malachi still have runny noses. But, at least they are back to eating and playing like normal. Thank you for praying for them!

Sunday, the 6th, was my twenty-second birthday. I had a wonderful day! So wonderful, we didn't take any pictures. I guess that comes with getting older :/  At first it didn't feel like my birthday without John here, but,  at the last second, I invited a few close friends over for homemade quesadillas and ice cream cake. YUM! We also watched 'Anne of Avonlea'. Or at least part of it. I had forgotten how long that movie is! I guess we'll just have to plan another day to watch the 2nd half together :)

So, now fast-forward to Wednesday, the 9th, and John is HOME!!!!! Only to get sick not even two days later. Poor guy has been in bed since yesterday late afternoon and literally all day today. I think I talked to him once and that was early this morning. We're not really sure what is wrong. It could be malaria or the flu. The symptoms are pretty much the same. Please keep him in your prayers!

Well, that's about it I think! We were supposed to leave for a short family vacation tomorrow, but, with John sick that probably won't happen, apart from a miracle of course and that is what we are believing for. Although, I promise it's not just so we can go on vacation! :)


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Good Night Sleep and John in Sudan

Thank you for praying for Jeremiah! I think he is feeling a little bit better this morning. He slept through the night without coughing, which also means I got a full night's rest too! :)

( *Edit: Since writing the above, I have learned that Jeremiah in fact did NOT sleep through the night, but went upstairs to my parents room, not one, but three times. And one of those times slammed his bedroom door shut. I heard nothing. I guess I was tired. lol ....I also want to mention that baby Malachi is sick too)

   I realized this morning that I never did post anything about John leaving! He left on October 11th for South Sudan and will be returning home on November 9th. He's there to see what can be done to help an internally displaced people group return to their village which was raided by the LRA awhile back. I am so proud of him, especially since he went there by himself! But, ugh! A whole month without my brother has been quite boring at times ( no offense to mom and dad!!!). I miss him so much!

It's one of those times when you realize just how much you love someone. It also makes me realize how much we have been talking and spending time together lately.  I can honestly say that John is one of my best friends. I hope these next two weeks go by quickly!

If you think of him, please pray for him. Thank you!


Sunday, October 23, 2011

Prayers please!

Well, Jeremiah is sick again. He was up several times during the night and had to have a breathing treatment.  The poor little guy is doing a little bit better this morning, but could definitely use some prayer.

I hate it when he's sick. Breaks my heart. Please heal him, Lord.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

"Starting over"

   I have been so inconsistent these last two years with posting on here, and I think it's because I got into the mind set of whatever I posted had to be eventful. Which is not why I started blogging years ago. It started out to be more of a daily journal for me to look back upon later; And I want to keep it that way.

So, I'm getting back to the basics, so to speak! I'm going to post about the seemingly little, daily things that happen. Some days it may be about our family and other days it may be about what the Lord has been doing in my heart lately. Today is about a couple of those "little" daily things that we can never have back :)


Like Malachi being 10 months old already and has learned to sit up by himself  and also has four teeth (Yes, nursing has become quite eventful for my mother nowadays). Oh, and he has had a hair cut since this picture was taken.


Here's Matthew eating blueberries until he almost looks like one himself :) He was quite proud of being so messy.


I praise God for this time I have with my family. I would have no one to blame but myself for taking our days together for granted :) Which in "saying" all this, I think my season of writer's block has been overcome! haha

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Family Update Part 1

I realized this morning that it has been awhile since I've written about my favorite people in the whole wide world!  And, I'm actually surprised none of my extended family members have brought this to my attention before now :)

 We are doing wonderful. The Lord has been so faithful and good. I'm finding that it has become pretty rare that a day goes by without Him teaching us something.

   Krystal, Anthony, and the kids are doing well. Emma Rose, Erin, and Harrison started school back a little while ago ( I can't remember what day) and Anderson is starting preschool today. I can't believe he's big enough to be going to school! So, now it's just Krystal and Elli Karrington hanging out at the house together having mommy/daughter time.
Krystal is such a blessing and I am proud to call her my sister. The Lord knew what He was doing when He brought her into our lives so long ago.

   John just left on Monday to fly up to New York to be with his good friend, Andrew, for a week (we follow him up later).  He is growing so much in his walk with the Lord. He is a gentlemen, a hard worker, and very funny. I can honestly say that he is one of the best friends that I have ever had. So glad he's my brother. He is a blessing. In October he will be heading to Sudan to stay for a month by himself. When you think of him, please pray for his safety and that the trip will be used to draw him deeper in love with his Savior and give him compassion for others like he's never had before.

Jeremiah and Dad are at school this morning. This year Jeremiah has been enrolled into Kindergarten so he can continue speech therapy and further develop his motor and interaction skills. Ultimately, my mom wants to home educate him, but the Lord opened the doors for Jeremiah to go to school in town three days a week for two hours and one of us gets to stay with him the whole time. In some ways it's kind of like going to a home-school co-op three times a week. We are already noticing some good differences in him this year compared to last year. He's growing up so fast.

Well, that's all I have time to write about this morning, but more is to follow!
 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Daily Surrender

   Where do I begin?  The Lord has been doing so much in my life and I feel so humbled that I don't know what to say! Sometimes the works of God are so unexplainable.

I will try my best to share what He has been doing in my heart of late.
First off, I want to give Christ the glory, honor, and praise for anything I write below, because apart from Him, I can do NOTHING.

   I can't tell you when it started. These feelings of something not right in my heart. Mostly towards my brother, John. Not so much now, but throughout the years we have had it out so many times towards each other. Most of the reasons were so pathetic, I blush to admit them. And looking back, our petty arguments have been mainly started by...me.

Please don't misunderstand me. It's not like my brother and I yell at each other all the time or something. We both love the Lord and each other so much and would die for the other if necessary. No, I'm mainly talking about the stuff that would start the arguments. Like giving my "2 cents" when it wasn't asked for. Or when I've talked to him like his words had no weight. When I would treat him like my silly little brother instead of the young man that he is now and is becoming. Instead of pointing out all the good things he did on a project, it would be the silly little mistakes instead. Talking over him when he was trying to explain himself. Oh, here's the biggest one, getting upset with him because HE COULDN'T READ MY MIND.

Yes, this young woman who hates strife and contention to the point of tears and heartache, has had attitudes that should never be present in a woman who calls herself a daughter of the Most High God, and has used words like fiery darts towards her beloved brother.  Why? Just so I can be right. Or just so I don't have to carry the burden of being hurt again. In other words, using my backbiting words to try to stop anything that I thought would make me feel bad inside. I obviously was not realizing how much of a bigger burden I was packing up for myself and for my poor brother than the one I thought I was somehow preventing.

"Oh silly Megan. How could you be so blind and oblivious?" ...Well, I'll tell you. The hard part about deceit, is that it's so deceitful! And when you form a habit, it's hard to break.  Especially when it comes little by little by little.

That's his way you know. The devil, I mean. He's out to "steal, kill, and destroy" at all costs and with no exception of persons. Boy do I hate him. He makes me livid (as my mother likes to say).

   Do I take all the responsibility for every argument that John and I have gotten into? The answer is yes. "WHAT?! Is John perfect or something????" Hahaha...ummm...no (sorry John! :P ).
Someday, I will give answer to God for my sin. And on that day I will have no choice but to only give account for my part. My 100%. So, my thought is, why not start now? Why not start taking 100% of my part of our relationship? I'm not responsible for John's reactions to things or how he chooses to treat me at times. That is between him and God. But I am responsible for my reactions and how I treat him.

   I am so thankful for the Lord's ever-present hand of guidance on my life. He isn't just opening my eyes to my sin. He is also giving me the grace to lay down my pride in order to change. He knows that I don't want other people to suffer from my faults. I specifically think of my future husband and children and I rejoice that through Christ, they won't have to deal with this in me like my family has over the years.  It hasn't been perfected yet and may never be, but at least John and those I will be in relationship with in the future, will hopefully never have to question if I am seeking God for help and fighting the enemy about it or not.

I am learning to surrender daily. It's not always easy, but I believe the less there is of me, and the more there is of Him, the better woman I will be for it. Holy Spirit, please, have Your way.

Monday, August 1, 2011

More of You...Less of me




















I promise I have not fallen off the face of the earth :)  An actual post is in the making, but, for now here is an intro, if you will,  to what has been on my heart of late.


Friday, June 24, 2011

‎"Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing of visible or invisible things so that I may but win Christ. Come fire and cross and grapplings with wild beasts, the rending of my bones and body... only let it be mine to attain Jesus Christ." - Ignatius of Antioch

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Returning to my First Love

While being sick for the last four days with what we thought was Mono, but I think ended up being a semi-small dose of the flu, I was finding it hard to get close to Jesus. I simply did not feel like praying or reading my Bible. I was so sore and achey that I felt like I could never get into a position to read for any length of time. Something funny happened though. For some reason, I always seemed to be able to get on the computer with practically no trouble at all! Facebook found it's self under my attention for great lengths of time, as did recipe blog after recipe blog. Yes, the tv got much of my attention as well.

But I was sick! All I could do was lay down. Isn't that the way I was supposed to spend my time? After all, it isn't everyday that I have four days all to myself!  

Maybe...But, I wish someone would have warned me of how empty and unfulfilling I was going to feel at the end of it all.  Giving into my time of literal weakness, turned into a time of spiritual weakness as well.

Yesterday, my soul felt similar to the thunderstorms we got.  Like the thunder, lightening and wind, I could feel a stirring in my heart to return to my First Love. Throughout the day it got stronger and stronger until, like the the clouds, I could no longer keep it in. I had to let loose.

  I realized that living a life of mediocrity and lukewarmness, no matter how small it may have seemed at the time, is not an option for me. The pain in my body was no match for the pain of loneliness I felt for my Savior.
I still felt unwell, but when I realized what was happening, I chose to quickly open my Bible and started to read. I didn't care what I read, just as long as I got a taste of what it had inside it's pages.  And I prayed. Oh how wonderful it was to draw near to my Savior.  Does that mean that I didn't get on Facebook yesterday? No, I did. And I had some wonderful conversations with my friends on it! But there is a time and place for everything. Quiet time with Jesus should always be priority on my list for each and every day.

When I woke up to bright sunshine filling my room,  my soul was filled with a deep joy like no other.  These last few, kind of miserable days, were a wonderful reminder that the Lord truly can turn bad things into good and use them for His glory.

And guess what! I am feeling almost 100% better already! Praise God!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Happy birthday, Elli Karrington! :) ...and some other things...


My mom, Elli, with here namesake Elli K. on Elli K.'s 1st birthday
 

Well, today we are off to Georgetown for Elli Karrington's (Krystal's daughter) 2nd birthday party! I'm looking forward to the two hour drive there with Mom and all the boys. I like road trips, big or small :) Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post later. Especially one with Mom and her name sake.

   The house is a little bit quieter these days. Dad and a friend left on Thursday for Sudan. They will be there for two weeks. If you would please keep them and our families in your prayers we would really appreciate it! The emotions are a bit more raw this time. You would think that after all these years and 50+ trips later, we would be used to him leaving!

  Last week was pretty busy for us. John's graduation was last Saturday, so both sets of grandparents were in and then on Sunday we had the party. There was also a big surprise for John! His good friend, Andrew, secretly came down with Amma and Papa! John was ecstatic :) It was a sad goodbye when Andrew also had to leave on Thursday morning.
It's hard to believe that John is graduated now and will be beginning a new chapter in his life soon. I'm so proud of him!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Thailand - "Are you going back?"

   I am often asked whether or not I will be returning to Thailand anytime soon.  It's an honest question and appreciate everyone's interest!  I've been home now for almost 9 months and I cannot believe it.  It has truly been wonderful to be home with my family and friends here.
There are not, however, very many days that go by that I don't think about Thailand and my friends there. Sometimes there is a deep loneliness I feel without them.  I have thought so many times of how wonderful it would be to go back and see everyone. But, right now, that's really the only reason I would have for going back....To see my friends.  And although that would be wonderful in of it's self, to go back for long term on that basis alone is not a good foundation. I have felt no leading from the Lord whatsoever to go back long term.   If He says "Go", then yes, I will go. But, right now, He is saying "Stay home". And of course, I'm not going to complain about that!

I learned a lot in Thailand. I learned how to at least slightly begin to understand and live in a different culture, I got my pride and patience tested through all those language classes, and I also had the privilege to begin more relationships that I ever thought possible for one person to have at one time. Each person I became friends with, missionary or Thai, was and is a blessing in my life.  God used them to teach me so much about myself and the areas of my life that need change or growth. I can't begin to tell you how humbled I feel to have been able to spend that season of my life there. But, even all that, cannot override the joy and peace I have for being back home. I have experienced a new found love and compassion for my "own" people here in Kentucky that I have never quite felt before.

In Thailand, God was preparing me for my future, and at home, He is preparing me for my future. I look forward to what is ahead.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Bands For Life - Sudan


   My brother, John, is selling wrist bands for Sudan! He explains more below:



Hey everyone! I am selling Unashamed wrist bands for $5.00 each to raise money for Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP’s) in Sudan. IDP’s are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence. In Sudan, there are so many of them and they need our help! They need blankets, mosquito nets, clothes, hoes, seeds, and malaria medicine. I only have about 25 wrist bands left, so get them while they last. Just post a comment on this post and leave your address so I can mail them to you. Thank You!!!
God Bless,
John



To go directly to John's blog post please click the link below.
http://ontrackwithgod.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/bands-for-life/

By the way, I just want to clarify that John is not making any money off of these for himself. He truly wants to help these people in Sudan.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

One who is worthy

"Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best. I put before you what I have found to be the best - One who is worthy of all our devotion - Jesus Christ. He is a Savior for the young and the old. And He, only He is the One who can bring out the best that is in us. Lord, here I am."   - Eric Liddell

Friday, May 20, 2011

"We do nothing. He does everything. All glory must be returned to Him. God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful. Pray for us that we may not spoil God's work." ~ Mother Teresa

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

John and other things :)

Yesterday afternoon John got his senior pictures taken and I was able to tag along. I, of course, brought my camera with me. This is just one, but if you click the picture you can see more!


Friday, May 6, 2011

"Be strong and courageous."

 I have the tendency to only read in the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  But in the last couple of weeks I have been reading more in the Old Testament and it has been fascinating.  I feel like I have opened an old history book that has been collecting dust upon a shelf and I am now being refilled with the knowledge it holds in a fresh light.

Except for a few exceptions,  it has not been much of a desire of mine to fill my brain with a bunch of war stories. And that is exactly what the first half of the Bible is filled with! It's still kind of hard for me to read about people being stoned or hung to death (or worse), but instead of this time only being able to focus on the grossness of war, it has been amazing to see the hand of GOD on each of those situations! I read of Joshua's bravery and faithfulness even when he felt like he had no more strength left. I read of Elisha's humbleness and passion to see the Israelites return to the Lord. I read of Rahab, who's bravery helped to save God's people and then, I am also brought to tears when I read of her redemption.  And do I have time to talk about David, Malachi, Jeremiah, Esther, Deborah, Moses, Miriam, Ruth, Abraham, Jacob, Eleazar, Samuel, Caleb.........Shall I go on?

My heart yearns to walk with God like our early fathers and mothers did. Those people stood when no one else was standing. They fought, even when things looked hopeless. They kept talking though no one seemed to be listening. The expectations were high; for some, very high. But they were obedient.

Oh how my heart cries out to the Lord for an outpouring of His Spirit upon this generation. Our culture's expectations for young people are so low and it's robbing us of our passion, courage, dreams, and work ethic. We are the Joshua's and Esther's of this generation. And it's time for us to be strong and take courage.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Puppies

I just had to stop by and share the good news!

We sold 3 of our puppies yesterday! Talk about encouraging :) The Lord has been faithful to wipe my worries away. I'm so happy!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A bit of this, and a touch of that...

   Gosh, it's been awhile since I posted. Sorry about that!

   Life has been pretty low key lately. Something that I'm thankful for. I like to be busy for sure, but, I don't like the feeling of not being able to catch my breath.  Why can't everything stay peaceful like I want it to?! ;)

   This post is probably going to be filled with random goings-on so please bear with me.

Our puppies are still for sale. They're almost 10 wks. old now and really need to go. We have had absolutely no interest in them at all. A little strange to me and also a little overwhelming, but, I have to trust in the Lord's timing. I just feel like several people are really missing out on these pups. They are adorable and each one has a great personality. I'm going to miss them when they go!

  John turns eighteen in five days! I almost can't believe it. Seems like yesterday we were running around the farm catchin' crawdads in the creek. Oh, and let's not even mention his graduation coming up in June!  We're both still so young, but, already life seems to be rushing by us. Thankfully, I don't think we have many wasted years and I look forward to the ones ahead, Lord willing.  I am so proud of John and his heart to follow after God. He believes the Lord has called him into ministry and is now praying about exactly what that is supposed to look like.

   One of my best friends just entered into a courtship not long ago! I am super excited for her and I am interested in what direction God is going to take it. She is such an encouragement for she wants to please the Lord so much through this relationship. This is the first time that I have had a friend who likewise believes in and is actually experiencing a courtship. It makes me look forward to the day when a young man calls my dad up to talk about me (insert silly grin here) :))   I'm afraid this situation has got my head wandering a little too much lately. Ahhhh, the Lord's timing is perfect, I know.

Well, not much else is going on. I do wish I could remember all the silly little things the boys do to share with you. They are getting so big. Today Matthew wore the cutest little cap, over-all shorts, and alligator Crocs shoes. Wish you could have seen him :)

Well, folks. It's time for all good girls to be in bed, so I better skedaddle. Hope ya'll are having a very blessed week.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

John Mulinde's prophetic message at IHOP 3/1/11

My dear readers,

It will not be a mistake or a waste of your time to watch this video. Please watch it and open your hearts to what the Lord would want to do in your life.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Labrador Retriever Puppies for SALE!

Hey all!

Remember that litter of pups my doge, Breeze had? Well, they are ready to go to good homes now!


There are 7 in all... 5 females ($500)... 2 males ($400). They've gotten their booster shots, have been wormed twice and have been examined by the vet. He loved them! There is a cute one just waiting for YOU!!! :0) Let us know if you're interested and we can give you more information. Hunters preferred, but all good homes will be considered.  







Tuesday, February 22, 2011

New find


   I don't usually get overly excited about clothes and such, but the Lord truly blessed me last week with two articles of clothing that I have desired to acquire for a long time now - A dress and a jean skirt that didn't make me look even shorter and wider than I really am :)  Everything I have been looking at (dresses mainly) have been so expensive ($50 - $70) and not as modest as I would like. Not anymore!  I found this dress online...

Norma Kamili - Women's Cap Sleeve Woven Dress (Wish I had a picture)

...drum roll please....unashamedly on Walmart's website for a total of $20.11!  Not kidding! I'm so happy :)

And then I found a nice long jean skirt on sale at Cato for about $10.99!

 I'm excited, not so much because of the clothes, but because I feel like I'm already being taught to be more frugal before I have my own family someday.  It takes some looking, but it can be done!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Introducing...

Lensistic...Life captured by a complete amateur. 

Lensistic is my newest blog. It is a photo journal for myself to get a feel for how I'm doing with photography. Please(!) feel free to comment, especially if you have experience with a camera. I could use any advice you might have.

Love Came Down

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Love never ends.

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. it does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things. 
Love never ends.  ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 

   I'll be the first to admit it...My attitude isn't always the best. I wish I could say I that I am perfect all hours of the day, every day. But alas, I am not. Just ask my family :/

It's this part of being human that's, well, a tad bit human.

My dad spoke about love a couple of Sundays ago. It was a really good message. Too good...I felt convicted.
I long so much to treat everyone with the same kind of love Christ shows us but I feel like I fall short so often.  It's easy to SAY that we love someone, especially during easy times, but do we always ACT like we love them?  The part of the verse above that really got me this week is, "is not irritable". Oh dear.  How many times have I gotten  irritated with the actions of others, OR was the one being irritating?! More than my little fingers can count.

I have asked God and myself many times, "Why is my strongest point my weakest point as well???". It gets quite confusing at times. And this is only one subject. What about all the others?!  Will I ever grow up?  Will I ever get this right? My best is feeling like it's at the bottom of the barrel.

I could go on and on about this, but that's not really going to help. And trying to love on my own strength isn't going to help either.

 Going back farther into 1 Corinthians 13, verse 2,  it states that if we have not love we are nothing. And yet, let's go even deeper than this: Without Christ we have not even the love. So where does that leave us? A stressed out, muddled mess that is getting pretty much no where. Can anyone say, "Oh dear."?

Amy Carmichael penned this, "If I have not compassion on my fellowservant, even as the Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

Ahhh, but God. If we are fully committed to Him, then we can, as Philippians 4:13 states,"... Do all things through Him who strengthens me.".  The Lover of all lovers also promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  When we are weak, He is strong!  Are those not the most freeing statements you have ever heard?

Love is a decision, not an emotion. We have a choice today. I choose to do my best to love others. How about you? C'mon, let's go glorify Christ together.


If love through me, Love of God, 
    Make me like Thy clear air
Through which unhindered, colors pass
    As though it were not there.

Powers of the love of Good,
    Depths of the heart Divine,
O Love that faileth not, break forth,
    And flood this world of Thine.

 ~ Amy Carmichael

Sunday, January 30, 2011

2011 favorite picks so far

My friend, Liz did a fun post not long ago with her favorite 2011 finds so far. I thought I would do the same.


Homestead Blessings - The Art of Gardening dvd (So practical!)


V.P. Dress from Shabby Apple


Pottery Barn ~ Framed Vintage Chair Prints


Pottery Barn ~ Gemma Milk-Glass Table Lamp (blue)







Friday, January 14, 2011

The happenings

Hello!

   I trust you are now recovered from the last couple of months and are enjoying the start of this new year.
   I haven't been writing very much lately, because, honestly I haven't had a lot to write about. I could write more, but I think I would start to sound very redundant.  :) But, if you want to hear about a five and two year old and dirty diapers everyday I can do that! By the way, Malachi is doing great and has definitely grown. He is such a blessing.

This week actually has brought some changes for me and I think it best that I get to those.

   Since I know I am not going back to Thailand in February now, and John has my old job at our (GRN) offices, I've been trying to think up ways to make some money from home. I think it is good for now and the future. I have already been selling magnets on Etsy, but I really wanted to try something bigger, yet easy enough and not so time consuming that it takes me away from my regular "duties". So, this past week I have been experimenting with candles! 100% Soy candles to be exact. So far I really like making them! I've chosen to work with soy wax because I appreciate the organic nature of it. Plus it doesn't give off as much soot as paraffin does and they seem to last longer.
But, could I have your help? I would love to know what your favorite candle scent(s) is and/or what scent you would like to be seen on the market! I would enjoy it so much if you would leave me a comment with ideas that I can take into consideration with my candles.  :)

   Three days ago my dog Breeze gave birth to seven adorable, healthy puppies! There are four black, 2 white(at least right now they seem to be. they may turn more yellow later) and 1 yellow. Five females, two males.  It was really neat to be able to experience watching the delivery and, in my case, staying up till 4:30 in the morning ;)  haha, anyway, here a few photos of the pups. Hope you enjoy and I also hope you are having a wonderful day! Stay close to Jesus...He is worthy.