The Random 23

  Perhaps you've seen, but writing random facts about yourself appeared to be the "thing" on Facebook this past week. I usually ignore such goings on, but even I got caught up in it too. It was kind of fun and it was really interesting to read about some things that I didn't know about my friends. My FB friends have already seen my list, but I thought I would share it on here as well...purely for the sake of actually trying to post on my blog :P  

Here we go: 

1. I want to go to Europe so bad. Mainly Italy.


2. I live in a subdivision, but I am a country girl. I like Dodge pickups, my camo gun, gardening and animals.

3. I have food allergies. I'm allergic to:

• peanuts
• dairy
• pineapple (why???)
• gluten
• soy
• almonds
• any fruit with a pit
• eggs
• yeast

4. I have been to India, Thailand, and Malaysia (Holland and Japan too, if you count airports)

5. Baking is my hobby

6. Good photography makes me smile

7. If The Lord wills, I would like to be a wife and a mom someday. Given the opportunity, I would also like to adopt, which could include a child born with Down Syndrome.

8. If it's vintage, I'll probably like it

9. I already have a little Christmas tree up in my bedroom. Although that's more like a confession. Lol

10. I have a blog, but I don't keep up with it very well ;) 

11. I can be shy, but learning to overcome. It's easy for me to come out of my shell if you're outgoing and make me laugh :)

12. I like airports

13. I used to figure skate (wish I still remembered how)

14. I'm a history buff. Historical places are some of my favorite spots to go to.

15. I get embarrassed and generally turn red when people compliment me, but secretly it encourages me.

16. I want to visit all the countries where my ancestors are from (Poland, Ukraine, Germany & Holland).

17. I like to shop, but given the choice between that, and a walk in the woods, I will more than likely choose the latter.

18. I miss my old horse and sometimes still have dreams about the farm we used to live on.

19. I pretty much only watch old movies or new movies set in historical times. No swear words please! 

20. I'm saving my first kiss for my wedding day

21. Sometimes I can be prideful :( 

22. I'm thankful that Christ completes what He starts

23. I find that writing random stuff is kind of fun, but what I really want people to know about me, is that Jesus has my heart and I really pray that it is He who you see in me.

Happy Friday Everyone! 

Battling Gracefully ( A random little thought)

"To me, it has been a source of great comfort and strength in the day of battle, just to remember that the secret of steadfastness, and indeed, of victory, is the recognition that "the Lord is at hand." " - Duncan Campbell

 I must admit, I don't always battle gracefully. Often times, I battle anxiously like everything depends on me, instead of resting and trusting in God. "Be Thou my Vision" is most often my prayer.

Why is it that I can feel so close to my Savior and yet so easily forget WHO He is? It pains me to admit this, but I realize that in my humanness, I sometimes find that, I, the created, bring the Creator down to my level of ability. Just writing those words makes my heart almost sick.

How is it that I can trust Him for money and yet, doubt if He hears my prayers for healing? Oh Lord Jesus, please forgive me.  The older I get, the more I realize how much I need Him. Knowing a lot about Him is not enough. My spirit craves intimacy. But intimacy means relationship.

Please, don't misunderstand me. I DO believe that I have a beautiful relationship with Christ, but, I also think I'm just scratching the surface! Which excites me :)

Lately, I have found myself battling with small doses of worry, doubt, melancholiness and discontentment. None of which I can fully understand why, but they have been real all the same.  I keep going back to John 15:5 in my head:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

I think I'm learning what it means to "abide" in Jesus. To dwell with Him and remain steady.... Even with questions. I am thankful that He is not surprised by my questions. If I cannot go to Him, who can I go to? However, I am finding more and more that I don't need answers to my questions... I need Him. He IS the answer. He is teaching me to be okay with all the mystery which surrounds who He is. It's in letting go of what I think I need and letting Him simply be God. Like He needs my permission *insert sarcasm here*.

Ah, only as a Christian can there be such fulfillment in my weaknesses being revealed. Truly He is strong when I am weak. And at the same time my weakness is revealed, I am lifted high on wings like eagles. Only such a God can perform such mystery and beauty. He loves me where I am, but oh praise Him, His love also isn't letting me stay there.

At the same time I can be battling, my Lord surrounds me like a shield. I am His and He is mine.

How can such a love be resisted?

Closer by Steffany Frizzell- Gretzinger

Your love has ravished my heart
And taken me over
Taken me over
And all I want is to be
With you forever
With you forever

So pull me a little closer
Take me a little deeper
I want to know you heart...I want to know your heart

Because Your love is so much sweeter
Than anything I've tasted
I want to know your heart...I want to know your heart
 

His Kindness

   This past week and a half has found me overwhelmed simply by the Lord's kindness and faithfulness. There has been times of darkness along with brightness lately and it has been beautiful to watch Him work in every situation. I have been refreshed in areas I had begun to grow a bit weary in and my love for my Savior has grown to new heights.                               I have been so lovingly reminded why I have chosen Him to be my portion and my cup. There is no one like Him.      

God is always with us, no matter what we may be doing...

The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees.

                                                                                      - Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence working in the kitchen

   This quote, from a 16th century monk, was a good reminder for me today. When my young brothers are being loud, laundry needs to be done, and meals need to be made, God is still there. Everything we do in our daily lives matters to Him. He understands the necessity of many of the trivial (compared to Heaven, I mean) things we must do in order to live in this world, and He promises us His presence.

But, He wants our hearts. We must not allow our daily lives to get in the way of God, but rather, to be lived 'as unto Him'.

I love this other quote of Brother Lawrence from the book 'The Practice of the Presence of God'. 

Whatever we do, even if we are reading the Word or praying, we should stop for a few minutes - as often as possible - to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy Him there in secret. Since we believe that God is always with us, no matter what we may be doing, why shouldn't we stop for awhile to adore Him, to praise Him, to petition Him, to offer Him our hearts, and to thank Him? 

                                   
Aye, why not?

Just a little pondering in my heart today. 

Jeremiah Heart Update

Yay! My heart rate went from beating 42 beats per minute at my last doctor visit to 50-55 today!!!! Thank you for praying for me! 

Hillsong United - Like an avalanche.mp4

A Few Pictures

 I realized today how long it has been since I've posted some pictures! Here are just a few of the little guys, who are actually getting so big! Where does the time go?!

  

Sorry for the blurriness of this pic. He moves so fast, it's hard to get a good one of him sometimes :) Jeremiah's birthday is on February 16th! I can't believe he's going to be 7 years old already. Feels like it was just yesterday when he was born. Please be praying for him on Wednesday! He goes to the doctor for his 6month heart check-up. Only this time he they will be doing an ultrasound. He tends to get scared easy, so we would appreciate the prayers :) Thank you!

Matthew is an amazing kid. He's always making us laugh! He's getting pretty quick witted like John.  I love this little snuggler! 

At the time this picture was taken, Malachi was very intently watching Thomas The Train :) This boy loves to run and jump. He barrels into a room with a smirk on his face and a twinkle in eyes. He also can scream like nobody's business! - I can't help but kiss his cheeks whenever I can get a hold of him long enough. 

   I feel so blessed to have such wonderful little brothers ( John too! ). The more time goes on, the more thankful I am for this time at home God has given me. I hope that as the years go by, these foundational years will serve to keep all of us close.