Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Never, Not Ever Alone


When Liam was about nine months old we experienced his first reaction to separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a common occurrence among babies when they begin to learn object permanence. I had dropped Liam off in the nursery one Sunday morning like I always do, but he recognized this time that I was going away...and the tears came. It was so sad! The sweet ladies who took care of him assured me that he would be okay and that he would soon learn that mommy would come back.

Fast-forward a few months later when my precious boy did learn.  With some help from a friend I learned how to best help him transition. You ever had a conversation with someone at just the right time and know that God orchestrated that meeting?  Yep, God has graciously done this several times for me!  One of my friend's tips was to give Liam a hug and say, "Mommy loves you, and I will be back." It took him a few times, but he learned what "be right back" means, and the Lord taught me through this something very important about my relationship with my Heavenly Father...

He promises that He will never, not ever leave us:

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"...and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Thank you, Lord for your promises to us! We are never alone!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

On My Heart

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7

My heart has been meditating on this verse for some time now. Verse five is the prayer I pray most often for Liam and what I want his life to reflect to others. Will and I are continually learning as Liam is growing how to establish verses six and seven in our home. I hope that demonstrating, serving, loving, and talking about the Lord is what Liam sees first and most in our lives.


Monday, March 11, 2013

Oh February!

A few highlights from last month
(since the last post was over a month ago...oops).

 My 30th birthday was on the 4th...and what a splendid time of celebration it was! Since Will proposed 9 years ago on the rooftop of the Peabody Hotel, I have always wanted to stay there. The room was beautiful and dinner at Chez Phillipe was fancy and delicious! 
 The next morning we slowly got ready, watched the ducks march in, then ate breakfast at The Arcade. I'm incredibly thankful for another year that the Lord has given me. Every day is such a gift. 
Did I mention it was also my 1st night away from L? Of course I missed him, but can't say the same for him. He was partying hard at Grump's and Mimi's house! 
 Valentines Day! L visited Mimi at work and brought her roses. 
 Will surprised me with my favorite flowers (he remembered calla lilies were in our wedding. Points.), a new book, and sushi for dinner. 
And this little guy gave me lots of kisses for V-day. My fav present by far.
DNOW 2013 was such a fun weekend. We learned, laughed, and looked forward to the future. Can't believe they are Seniors. I've known some of them since they were 7th graders! What a full and fun month February was!

Monday, February 4, 2013

A {FREE} Virtual Conference!

Ever hear people talking about a conference they attended or you see one advertised you would love to check out, but your schedule just won't allow it? Yep, me too...BUT, last week I found one that is a virtual conference! Better yet, it's FREE. The conference "Just One" is led by well-known Christian women and pastor's wives, and is for pastor's wives and women in ministry. The conference is 3 weeks long, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and you can pick from four different times to watch each day. One of those times fits in during L's naptime and another after he goes to bed - perfect! 


I tuned in last week, and the wisdom from these women on "Living in Freedom," "Freedom from Expectations," and "Freedom in Struggles" was insightful and helpful. You can check out this week's speakers and how to sign up here.  I'm looking forward to hearing from Lauren Chandler next week!

A few "nuggets" from last week: 

~"You reproduce who you are, not what you say." Christine Caine

~"Comfort and security are not the essence of the Gospel." Luke 4:18 - freedom is!

~"I am the LORD your God,... I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high." Leviticus 26:13

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Glory in the Ordinary?

Can we give God glory in the mundane everyday things? In the diaper-changing, lunch-making, floor-mopping, bathroom-cleaning, clothes-folding, rush hour-driving, common things? My mind knows God's Word says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). So then it must be possible to bring God glory even in the mundane, but my heart sometimes thinks those things are too insignificant to possibly bring glory to an Almighty God...


But then my heart rejoices! Because I know God's Word is Truth. The ordinary, everyday, small things are often what make up my days, and I CAN glorify God in them. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians 3:17). Christy Nockels gives perspective as a mom of three how this plays out in her life on the Desiring God blog today here. 


So as I begin a new day, I will "rearrange the posture of my heart" by looking to Christ first. I will spend time at his feet, because no matter what seems priority or urgent today, spending time with Jesus is the "good thing" (Mark 14:1-9). Once I spend time with Him, He will assign my marching orders for the day, and as I follow His lead in each task (with the right attitude and motive) I bring Him glory. 

"Do your everyday and your ordinary, godliness is found and formed in these things." ~Jennie Allen

So today whether you eat or drink, or write a lesson plan, clean a bed pan, take out the trash, serve a meal...do everything to make God look as great as He really is. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

2012's Reading List

If you know us at all, you know we love to read! I like to read some classic and some new, little fiction and a lot of non-fiction. Here are the books that made my list for 2012 {Click on the title for links to the books &/or blogs.}:

Parenting (since I am a new mom, these make up a majority of last year's list):

The Power of a Praying Parent: Book of Prayers by Stormie Omartian
{I believe praying God's Word is powerful, and this book gives scripture everyday to pray as well as space to write out your prayer for your child. Small enough to fit in your pocket!}

Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
{Rachel is a mother of 5 who gives such a great perspective on everyday joys and challenges. A quick read too!)

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
{A must read for moms of boys!!!}

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff
{I read this cover to cover like I was studying for an exam. Vital info for that 1st year and beyond! Also an informative blog here.}

Your Baby's First Year Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis
{Another great first year resource for that first year. Written weekly instead of monthly like the one mentioned above.}

Spiritual Warfare

Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan
{Protecting your family from spiritual attacks. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Wish I had read this one years ago.}

Autobiography

Best When Broken by Scott Coleman
{Scott is a good friend of ours and was our first sunday school teacher after we married. His story is inspiring, challenging, and encouraging. Our God is so good!}

Ministry

10 Things Every Minister's Wife Needs to Know by Jeana Floyd
{Very practical advice about marriage, stewardship, faith, and prayer. Another quick read!}

Prayer

A Praying Life by Paul Miller
{Thoughts from what I learned I blogged here.}

Christian Non-fiction

No Greater Love by Mother Teresa
{The wisdom of Mother Teresa arranged by theme such as prayer, love, giving, holiness, and forgiveness.}

Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper
{Great ideas on traditions to implement in your family for everyday, Christmas, and Easter.}

Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
{I find myself having to implement what I learned through this book daily. Our minds shape not only what we think but how we believe and act. We must think on what is true and real and learn to trust God in all things!}

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
{I actually read this one in 2011, but it has made such a difference in my thought life and I have referenced it often this past year. Ann also has a blog where she writes almost daily and has incredible resources here.}

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman
{I started this book in 2012 and am still reading. I'm learning how to let go of my own unrealistic expectations and rely upon God's lavish grace instead...this book is helping. The link above is to her book and blog - both incredible.}

Christian Fiction

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
{Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Lewis sheds light on how those "schemes" may take form in our daily life. I try to read this one at least every-other year.}

There are several more that I'm in the process of reading (meaning I was too eager to begin them before I finished the last one...there's a stack of 9 so far...ever had that problem?).  What was your favorite book that you read in 2012?


Friday, January 4, 2013

InstaFriday: Christmas Recap

I just realized I never posted any Christmas pictures, and since this is InstaFriday at Life Rearranged, let's do it today! 

We kicked off the Christmas season by seeing the Singing Christmas Tree. Liam loved the music and getting to meet "Julie" who was in the Tree. 
 The fam on the Sunday before Christmas. 
 Christmas morning! So much more fun this year with the little guy actually able to know what was going on. I made a big breakfast, we read Luke 2, we opened gifts, and had the best morning together. 
 A guitar just like Daddy's. :)
 The 3 of us...not great quality pic, but you take what you can get. 
 Wearing the snowman shirt Christmas night in hopes of snow...
SNOW!!!