The other day we were taking a walk and I asked Daniel what color a leaf was. "Orange", he said with confidence. (It was green) I told him it was green and then asked him who made the leaf. He said "God did!" O.k. so maybe I'm bragging just a little. It's just that here lately I've been stressing out about the education of my boys. Do they know all they are suppose to? Will Adam be on track when he starts first grade? Does Daniel know all his shapes and colors? Apparently not :) But, even though Dan didn't know what color the leaf was, he did know that God made it. Which is more important? I guess it all depends on who you ask.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says; 'These commandments I give you today are to be upon 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.' There are many, many verses on parenting. I have yet to find any that say my son should know all of his colors by the time he's three.
I do think their education is important, that's why I was stressing to begin with. It's just that God has a way of helping me put things into perspective. Sometime it's through my husband, sons, or other people. Most of the time it's through His scripture. I'm very thankful for the Bible today.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
God and interior design
Wow, it's been a long time since I have blogged! Since than I've been very busy with homeschooling, potty training, playing with baby, Bible study, and lots more. I'm still doing those things, just learning to schedule my time better. That's kind of what the Bible study is about, more on that some other time.
Adam was having one of his conversations with God the other night, I was blessed to hear it. He was telling God exactly how he wanted his house in Heaven to look. He wants it to be blue, with two floors, and an Xbox in every room. He went on and on about the details of his house. It has a play room with one of those jump houses and no pink things are allowed.
It got me thinking...about Todd...about Heaven...about family...about what it will be like. I would like to think that I will know Todd and he will know me. Are his eyes blue like Adam and Caleb or are they green like Daniel? Will my sons still know each other? Will they get to met their big brother? Will I be able to ask God all of the questions I'm thinking of now?
God knows. We can't even begin to imagine. I think that's part of the joy, the excitment, the surprise, the anticipation of Heaven.
Adam was having one of his conversations with God the other night, I was blessed to hear it. He was telling God exactly how he wanted his house in Heaven to look. He wants it to be blue, with two floors, and an Xbox in every room. He went on and on about the details of his house. It has a play room with one of those jump houses and no pink things are allowed.
It got me thinking...about Todd...about Heaven...about family...about what it will be like. I would like to think that I will know Todd and he will know me. Are his eyes blue like Adam and Caleb or are they green like Daniel? Will my sons still know each other? Will they get to met their big brother? Will I be able to ask God all of the questions I'm thinking of now?
God knows. We can't even begin to imagine. I think that's part of the joy, the excitment, the surprise, the anticipation of Heaven.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Adam's story...just the beginning
This morning Adam accepted Christ as his Savior! Let me tell you about it...
I've been trying to get the boys on a schedule, since we start school next week. So, at 9:00a.m. we started reading from the Bible. As I was talking about what God made on the third day Adam announces that he does not want to do this. I found myself growing frustrated and told him he wasn't going to get on the computer.(I made him get off for Bible study) He told me 'No mommy, I don't want to do this, I want to pray.' I said,'Oh, o.k.' and started praying, my patient son then said, 'No mommy, I want to pray.' I asked him what he wanted to pray about and he said he wanted to pray 'that prayer' he wanted to be a Christian. My hands started shaking...tears forming...'What do you think it means to be a Christian Adam?', 'When you ask God to forgive your sins and be with you forever,' he said. We talked about the ABC's of being a Christian. Admit that you are a sinner, Romans 3:23 Believe that Jesus is God's Son and accept God's gift of forgiveness, John 3:16 Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, Romans 10:9-10.
Adam said he knew he was a sinner and wanted to tell God he was sorry. He wanted God to save him so he didn't have to be afraid anymore. (Adam tends to be a bit shy, very leery about things) He told me he didn't want to use those big words, so I told him he just needed to tell God what he was feeling. This is what he said, to the best of my memory:
"Dear God,
I know that I sin and I'm sorry. Please save me. I want to go to Heaven someday. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I want you to be with me always so I don't have to be afraid of anything. Thank you for saving me. Amen"
After he prayed he gave me a great big hug and tears started running down my face. He looked at me, wondering what was wrong. I told that I was o.k. that sometimes I cry when I'm happy. He didn't quit understand that, but was fine with it. Then he said, 'Now I'm just like my daddy!' More tears...more hugs...and laughing.
The Bible study ended with loading up the minivan and going to the mall to tell daddy all about our morning. Adam's morning...the beginning of his story.
I've been trying to get the boys on a schedule, since we start school next week. So, at 9:00a.m. we started reading from the Bible. As I was talking about what God made on the third day Adam announces that he does not want to do this. I found myself growing frustrated and told him he wasn't going to get on the computer.(I made him get off for Bible study) He told me 'No mommy, I don't want to do this, I want to pray.' I said,'Oh, o.k.' and started praying, my patient son then said, 'No mommy, I want to pray.' I asked him what he wanted to pray about and he said he wanted to pray 'that prayer' he wanted to be a Christian. My hands started shaking...tears forming...'What do you think it means to be a Christian Adam?', 'When you ask God to forgive your sins and be with you forever,' he said. We talked about the ABC's of being a Christian. Admit that you are a sinner, Romans 3:23 Believe that Jesus is God's Son and accept God's gift of forgiveness, John 3:16 Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, Romans 10:9-10.
Adam said he knew he was a sinner and wanted to tell God he was sorry. He wanted God to save him so he didn't have to be afraid anymore. (Adam tends to be a bit shy, very leery about things) He told me he didn't want to use those big words, so I told him he just needed to tell God what he was feeling. This is what he said, to the best of my memory:
"Dear God,
I know that I sin and I'm sorry. Please save me. I want to go to Heaven someday. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I want you to be with me always so I don't have to be afraid of anything. Thank you for saving me. Amen"
After he prayed he gave me a great big hug and tears started running down my face. He looked at me, wondering what was wrong. I told that I was o.k. that sometimes I cry when I'm happy. He didn't quit understand that, but was fine with it. Then he said, 'Now I'm just like my daddy!' More tears...more hugs...and laughing.
The Bible study ended with loading up the minivan and going to the mall to tell daddy all about our morning. Adam's morning...the beginning of his story.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Ben-Hur and me
This morning I woke up to feed Caleb his bottle at about 6a.m. He actually fell back asleep and the other boys were still sleeping, so I thought I would have a nice quiet time with my Savior. Then the boys woke up. :) I'm finding it very difficult to arrange my schedule so I can have a quiet time. You may be thinking, what about now instead of blogging? I managed to get the boys interested in breakfast while I had time in another room. :) Anyway, I wanted to share what I read out of Our Daily Bread, so here it is:
'Lew Wallace's book Ben-Hur tells the story of a Jewish aristocrat betrayed by his friend and condemned to serve as a galley slave in the Roman navy. On a forced march to the ship, Judah Ben-Hur meets Jesus of Nazareth, whose compassion fills him with hope. Eventually, Ben-Hur saves the Roman commander during battle. In gratitude, the commander adopts Ben-Hur as his son, instantly elevating him from slave to heir.
That's what happens to us when God adopts us into his family. But great privilege brings great responsibility. Paul said that we become "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him" (Rom. 8:17) The gospel does not say"Come to Jesus and live happily ever after." God's syllabus for His children's education includes training through hardships.
Ben-Hur's years of enduring hardship as a roman slave strengthened him and increased his endurance. He eventually defeated his "friend-turned-enemy" in a chariot race.
As endurance and training were key to Ben-Hur's victory, so are they vital in the Christian's war with sin and evil. The hard times we endure are God's way to prepare us for greater service for His glory.'
As I look back on my life I think of the hardships and joys. The hardest thing I've had to go through is losing my son, Todd. It was such a shock and certainly nothing I ever thought I'd have to go through. There were questions, why me? what did I do? why didn't You work a miracle? The thing is I didn't 'do' anything, losing Todd was not punishment for anything. Also, God did work a miracle, just not in the way I would have chose. He showed me what His comfort feels like and how to comfort others. He showed me how to be joyful while I'm suffering. He showed me that even though I will go through hard times I will always have Him, I will never lose God. Again, I would never have chosen to say goodbye to my son, but I will always cherish the things that I have gained through my loss. Way too many things to mention in one blog...till next time,
Amy
'Lew Wallace's book Ben-Hur tells the story of a Jewish aristocrat betrayed by his friend and condemned to serve as a galley slave in the Roman navy. On a forced march to the ship, Judah Ben-Hur meets Jesus of Nazareth, whose compassion fills him with hope. Eventually, Ben-Hur saves the Roman commander during battle. In gratitude, the commander adopts Ben-Hur as his son, instantly elevating him from slave to heir.
That's what happens to us when God adopts us into his family. But great privilege brings great responsibility. Paul said that we become "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him" (Rom. 8:17) The gospel does not say"Come to Jesus and live happily ever after." God's syllabus for His children's education includes training through hardships.
Ben-Hur's years of enduring hardship as a roman slave strengthened him and increased his endurance. He eventually defeated his "friend-turned-enemy" in a chariot race.
As endurance and training were key to Ben-Hur's victory, so are they vital in the Christian's war with sin and evil. The hard times we endure are God's way to prepare us for greater service for His glory.'
As I look back on my life I think of the hardships and joys. The hardest thing I've had to go through is losing my son, Todd. It was such a shock and certainly nothing I ever thought I'd have to go through. There were questions, why me? what did I do? why didn't You work a miracle? The thing is I didn't 'do' anything, losing Todd was not punishment for anything. Also, God did work a miracle, just not in the way I would have chose. He showed me what His comfort feels like and how to comfort others. He showed me how to be joyful while I'm suffering. He showed me that even though I will go through hard times I will always have Him, I will never lose God. Again, I would never have chosen to say goodbye to my son, but I will always cherish the things that I have gained through my loss. Way too many things to mention in one blog...till next time,
Amy
Monday, July 28, 2008
My boys, our story
My boys are so special to me. My firstborn, Todd Austin, was with us for a very short time. He was a beautiful boy, looked just like his daddy. Except, he did have my toes, the second toe was longer than his big toe. I'm very proud of that!:) When we had to say goodbye to him, I was so scared that we would not have another boy, or maybe not another baby at all. I tend to let my emotions get the better of me. Luckily, God is more powerful than my raging hormones. Only a few months later I found out I was pregnant again. For some women this would not be good news, but my God is a very personal God. He knew what I needed (and how impatient I am). When I found out, half of me hoped it was a girl. I thought maybe that would make it easier. The other half wanted a boy. God wanted us to have another son. When Adam (we named him Adam, because he was our new beginning) was born, he looked completely different than his brother. He looks like his mommy. Except he doesn't have my toes! Fortunately, he acts like his daddy. He's a very laid back little man. I am again amazed at how my God is a God of details. He knew that for some reason Adam looking so different was easier for me. I can't really explain it, but my emotions tend to be a bit complicated.
Now, I will jump ahead a bit. In the year 2005 I found out God was giving us another baby. Would this be our girl? No. God was blessing us with another boy, Daniel. When I was pregnant with Daniel I was doing a Bible study, by Beth Moore, Daniel. It's an amazing study, you should check it out. Daniel was a man who stood up for his beliefs and was on fire for God. Sometimes I think our Daniel stands up for his 'beliefs' a little too much, he's only two. By the way, his middle name means "fiery", which he definitely is. Daniel looks more like his daddy, a little more like Todd, but still similar to his brother, Adam.
Again, jumping a bit. Last year John and I decided our family wasn't quit complete. We decided to try one more time. Not to just try for a girl, but to welcome whoever God brings to us. He brought us Caleb. Yes, another boy! He is the spitting image of his brother, Todd. He even has my toes. What a blessing! God is also a God of timing, his timing. He knows even though my emotions still waver, I have learned to calm them with God's help. Actually, it's pretty much all God. I am not a strong person. That's what makes my story so amazing. Because it's not just my story. It's our story, God's and mine. A story about how God worked in the life of a woman, a woman like me.
Now, I will jump ahead a bit. In the year 2005 I found out God was giving us another baby. Would this be our girl? No. God was blessing us with another boy, Daniel. When I was pregnant with Daniel I was doing a Bible study, by Beth Moore, Daniel. It's an amazing study, you should check it out. Daniel was a man who stood up for his beliefs and was on fire for God. Sometimes I think our Daniel stands up for his 'beliefs' a little too much, he's only two. By the way, his middle name means "fiery", which he definitely is. Daniel looks more like his daddy, a little more like Todd, but still similar to his brother, Adam.
Again, jumping a bit. Last year John and I decided our family wasn't quit complete. We decided to try one more time. Not to just try for a girl, but to welcome whoever God brings to us. He brought us Caleb. Yes, another boy! He is the spitting image of his brother, Todd. He even has my toes. What a blessing! God is also a God of timing, his timing. He knows even though my emotions still waver, I have learned to calm them with God's help. Actually, it's pretty much all God. I am not a strong person. That's what makes my story so amazing. Because it's not just my story. It's our story, God's and mine. A story about how God worked in the life of a woman, a woman like me.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nacham
I was reading A Heart Like His, by Beth Moore. In it she mentions the Hebrew word Nacham. It's meaning stood out to me: 'the idea of breathing deeply as a physical display of one's feeling, usually sorrow, compassion, or comfort.' The word was used in II Samuel 12:24, where it meant 'being consoled over the death of an infant child.' This word seems to describe a lot about me.
On October 10, 2001 I went to the hospital to give birth to my first born son. My water had already broke, but I wasn't having any contractions. I was told it was going to be awhile and was put on a monitor. Just your basic story...but then everything changed. The baby started kicking and they lost him on the monitor, the nurse started checking on things and noticed I was bleeding. I was put on oxygen and my nurse started prepping me for an emergency c-section. They couldn't get in touch with my doctor, so the doctor on call came and performed the c-section. It all happened so fast, not once did I actually think I would lose my baby. When I woke up I was told I had a total placenta abruption and the baby didn't make it. This all happened within 10 or so minutes, but it was the longest day of my life. I felt such intense sorrow, didn't think I could ever get over that feeling. I probably wouldn't have either if it wasn't for God and the family and friends that He put in my life. Don't get me wrong even after six years and three boys later, I still have my moments. But, God always gives me the comfort and compassion that I need when I need it. II Corinthians 1 talks about God's comfort and how we can share that same comfort with others, through the sorrow that we have been through. I hope to be able to do that throughout my life, to comfort others, to tell them my story. Only God can give you joy in the midst of sorrow.
On October 10, 2001 I went to the hospital to give birth to my first born son. My water had already broke, but I wasn't having any contractions. I was told it was going to be awhile and was put on a monitor. Just your basic story...but then everything changed. The baby started kicking and they lost him on the monitor, the nurse started checking on things and noticed I was bleeding. I was put on oxygen and my nurse started prepping me for an emergency c-section. They couldn't get in touch with my doctor, so the doctor on call came and performed the c-section. It all happened so fast, not once did I actually think I would lose my baby. When I woke up I was told I had a total placenta abruption and the baby didn't make it. This all happened within 10 or so minutes, but it was the longest day of my life. I felt such intense sorrow, didn't think I could ever get over that feeling. I probably wouldn't have either if it wasn't for God and the family and friends that He put in my life. Don't get me wrong even after six years and three boys later, I still have my moments. But, God always gives me the comfort and compassion that I need when I need it. II Corinthians 1 talks about God's comfort and how we can share that same comfort with others, through the sorrow that we have been through. I hope to be able to do that throughout my life, to comfort others, to tell them my story. Only God can give you joy in the midst of sorrow.
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