Tea Time

We had a good day today! This trip has been a stressful one, which I expected, but today was a good reprieve. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Phoenix, which was some pretty good food!! It was really cool it had this Harley set up, and of course lots of guitars. Than after that we had tea with my Aunt Janet, whose from England, and Uncle Ken. This was a very special thing to do, I will always remember our tea times with my family. Plus, I think it was the first time that I was able to open up to someone in the family about Nana and Papa. Uncle Ken and Aunt Janet are really easy to talk to and agreed about a lot I had to say.

Tomorrow is not exactly planned out, but I'm hoping that it will be a repeat of today.Here are some pics of the day:

Kodak moments and vise versa

Well, the first picture is of what Karen and I got to see our first night in Arizona. It was beautiful! The second picture is of Karen...they had these really cool giant chess pieces there...we didn't actually play, just a Kodak moment. We had so much fun, this time was very special for us.

I've learned a lot about myself this week. Too many to mention really, but the main thing is that no matter how much I learn or grow, I will never need God any less. This may sound cheesy, but this week has been the most emotional and physically straining time in a long time! I can't even explain it really...it's been hard being away from the boys and John...it's been hard being away from my church...it's been hard being away from my friends, it's been hard seeing Papa the way he is.

The good things is that John got a texting plan before we came...that John is always willing to listen...my boys are with the best in-laws ever, my friends are always there for me...and my sister is going through this with me! The best though is that God has given me exactly what I've needed exactly at the right time I needed it!

Well, this has been kind-of all over the place, but that kind-of fits the week so far. I'm really relishing the special moments and I'm really glad I came, but will be even happier when I get home!

Let go...

Well, Saturday morning my mom, Karen, and I got on a plane and flew to Arizona. I'll just say now that I never realized that I was afraid to fly until then! I guess I was always distracted in the past. In other words, the boys were with me. I got myself so worked up I really thought I was going to have to use the barf bag. I was agitated that the flight attendant could tell me how to use the seat as a floatation device and how to use the oxygen mask and then tell me to sit back and relax! I was very nervous about leaving John and the boys, very nervous about seeing my Papa and Nana, just down right nervous.

I kept trying to tell myself I can do this...finally we got to the Las Vegas airport for an hour layover. I wasn't doing much better and I really didn't want to do this all over again.

Well, I stared listening to music when the plane took off again. The Barlow Girl song, "Let Go" came on...
"Let Go"

Yeah I trust in You
I remember times You led me
This time it's bigger now
And I'm afraid You'll let me down

But how can I be certain?
Will You prove Yourself again?

[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm about to let go
And live what I believe
I can't do a thing now
But trust that You'll catch me
When I let go
When I let go

What is this doubt in me
Convincing me to fear the unknown
When all along You've shown
Your plans are better than my own

And I know I won't make it
If I do this all alone

I'm not sure how to describe it, but things got better, but only when I stopped trying to do it myself. So far, this trip has been a combination of stress, shopping, sad times, good times, and swimming. The thing is even though I miss John and the boys, and it's hard to see my Papa so sick, I'm very grateful that I was able to make this trip. I have been having fun with my mom and sister. It's been very special. Good times :)
By the way, the picture above is of my sis, Karen, she's jumping on the bed :) We had a lot of fun at the Wigwam(hotel) at the Twlight Convention.

Amazing Grace

Last Sunday our preacher gave a sermon on Grace, using the verse below:
"For by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as result of WORKS, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God PREPARED BEFOREHAND so that we would WALK IN THEM." (Ephesians 2:8-10}

Before I stepped into the sanctuary, I talked to a friend and found out that she lost her grandbaby. Her son and wife miscarried. She was telling me that I was such a comfort to her, just seeing me with my boys now some how gave her comfort, hope. It got me thinking...Then I stepped into the sanctuary. They were singing Amazing Grace. Todd's song.

I have to admit it was a little hard to pay attention. But, just listening to him talk about how amazing His grace is, how Totally undeserved, yet freely given, amazing. It got me thinking again.

There aren't any words to describe what it was like to lose Todd. Yet, there aren't any words to truly explain what it was like to have God there with me. Todd's story isn't only about loss and pain, it's also a story of comfort and hope and even joy.

I was in pain, God gave me comfort. I was confused, God gave me peace. I was depressed, God gave me hope. I was bitter, God softened my heart.

I pray that God will use me to help people who are hurting. The below verse means so much to me, I consider it my life verse. God has given me comfort beyond understanding, I pray that He will use my life to help others, to comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-8 (New American Standard Bible)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Photos of the heart

You may remember in a few blogs past I mentioned I was doing the Project 365. I'm still doing this, even though I've missed a few days. I'll post a few of my favorites in my next blog. Anyway, since I've started this it's helped me see how I spend my days. Days filled with the boys...family...friends. Days filled with love. Days filled with memories. It's impossible to take a picture of every special moment in my days. Either the camera is not handy, or the batteries are dead, or Puppy Love just won't be still :) So, I just have to take photos with my heart. Here are a few I would like to share:

My monkey wouldn't settle down and go to sleep the other night. He kept saying he was sad, the dark was making him sad(sacred). I assured him that he was o.k. and turned the night light on. He discovered he's shadow on the wall next to him. He called out to me and said, "Mommy, I can see God's hand!"

We had VBS this past week and Bear was telling me that his teachers were talking about what it meant to be a Christian. He said, "It felt good to be able to tell them that I already did it!"

We came home from VBS one day and Monkey was telling me that I needed to keep my eyes on God, because He loves me.

My Bear is growing up quite fast. He spent the night with a friend this week for the first time ever! He had a blast and is still talking about it.

Puppy love was looking in the mirror tonight and pointed saying,"Bubba"

So, camera or no camera, I'll keep those photos coming.

Teacup Theology

Well, it's been awhile since since I posted, but the project 365 is still going on and I found some really good dinosaur books. I will update some new pics later...

Now on to teacups. A friend and I started this Bible study and oh my, I just started reading the first chapter and I'm even more excited about it! It's called Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow. The study is about how to find contentment. In the first chapter she talks about Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

She says, 'This often-quoted verse is translated literally from Greek as, "I am able to face anything by the one who makes me able[to do it]"' Paul is recognizing the source and strength of all Christian contentment is God Himself. She gives a translation of Phil 4:13 from Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest: I am strong for all things in the One who constantly infuses strength in me.

To infuse means to pour, fill, soak, or extract. Linda says,'Every morning when I dip my herbal tea bag into boiling water, I witness infusion. Contentment occurs when Christ's strength is infused into my weak body, soul, ad spirit.'

She goes on to bring this analogy even more to life...

'God has lovingly assigned each of us a uniquely special teacup. Perhaps we're an antique cup, painted with dainty roses set in gold. Maybe we see ourselves as an everyday cup- useful, but a little chipped around the edges. Or we could be a heavy duty mug- rugged, unbreakable, and able to hold much. Then God fills our cup with our portion, what He determines best. Our portion is our physical and emotional being, our abilities, circumstances, roles, and relationships.
Sometimes we don't like what's been poured into our cup. Remember the Garden of Gethsemane? When He saw the suffering He was about to endure, He pleaded,"Father,if you are willing, take this cup from me;yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Christ grasped the handle of His cup and lifted it to God and said, "I accept my portion. Infuse me with Your strength that I may drink."
Every cup- whether dainty china or rough-hewn pottery- has a handle. God has placed our portion in our cup. We either choose to grasp it by the handle and lift it to Him, saying, "I accept my portion; I accept this cup." or we choose to smash our cup to pieces, saying, "God, I refuse my portion. This cup is not the right size for me and I don't like what You've put in it. I'll control my life myself."'

I can use some infusing today. So, which teacup are you? Grasp the handle and lift it up! May you be infused with God's power!

Project 365 and dinosaurs

O.K. so I think this project is going to be harder than I thought. I'm not sure if I'm going to post once a week or twice...I know I won't be able to everyday, but I'm already getting the pictures confused.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun with the fam today. Today was officially the last day of school!!! Excalibur Academy is now closed for the summer! Bear told me summer was his favorite season, because he can eat watermelon and he doesn't have to do school. Too funny.

Well, here's some more pics for the project 365:
Sunday we went to the Friends and Family night at Sears, with my sis. My sister and I got new bathing suits! This was taking as the boys were racing to the elevator so they could push the button. What you don't see is John running towards them to try to catch the door before it shut, with them in the elevator. :) Good Times.




Monday was a Route 44 day. Me and the boys went to happy hour at Sonic. Slushes (or as Monkey calls them, flushes) and drinks for all.



Tuesday we all went to see my nephew play the clarinet at his band concert.






That's all the pictures I have for now...now on to the dinosaurs. Bear is becoming more and more fascinated with dinosaurs. The problem I'm having is almost all of the books I can find lean towards evolution. We've talk to him about how some people believe differently about this, but I would just really like to do a further study one this subject. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on books or websites about dinosaurs, with a Christian perspective?

Everyone have a good week and go take some pictures :)