Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Grateful
God has been showing Himself to me over and over through these last weeks. He has revealed parts of myself to me that lets be honest, aren't so pretty. He has used circumstances, and He has used people. When we got the first phone call about Ryan's mom we knew we had to go. Without a second thought, we called some of our closest friends to come be with our kids. And of course without hesitation, they stopped and came to help. We left without knowing what to expect, how long we would be gone, or what the next days would hold for us. That is an overwhelming feeling, especially if you are a planner like myself with a touch of 'homebody.' We have spent our entire married life away from family. So consequently, when we went, our kids went. It is not second nature to me to leave my kids. Now, don't get me wrong, I love love love some time away for myself. I think me and my kids are both better for it. That having been said, when I am away from them, I kinda feel like something is missing. Like something is just a little off. So driving off that night was tough in more ways than one, but I knew they were in good hands with people that love them like we love them.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Browns, Hales and Stewarts for juggling our kids and loving on them while we had to be gone. And beyond having our kids, they, along with others in our small group, put together a care package for us with quarters for machines in the hospital, magazines, books, snacks, germ-x, and some cash for expenses. OH MY WORD. I am not a crier, but when we got that, I lost it. We have never in our married life been anywhere were we have had friends that have loved us like these people were loving us. I was, Overwhelmed. Humbled. Convicted. Overwhelmed by the sacrifices that these people were making on our behalf. Humbled by the generosity and thoughtfulness that went into that package. And convicted by the thought, 'would that be my first instinct?' would I love and give without a thought and expect nothing in return?
I most definitely buy into the philosophy that we are "blessed to be a blessing." I am also a firm believer that kids learn from what you do a lot more than from what you say. Which is a sobering thought to say the least. My prayer is that we are a giving family. Not just in dollars, because sometimes quite honestly that is too easy. But givers from a place of sacrifice. Givers unconditionally, with no strings attached. Givers out of gratitude. Givers out of obedience. Just givers.
I am grateful for God's love in our lives. My heart overflows with gratitude for the friends and relationships that He has chosen to bless us with. People who given to us sacrificially when we were not in a position to give back. People who have been the hands and feet of Jesus. People that allowed Him to use them to be a blessing to us. May I be a better Christ-follower and friend for it.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Browns, Hales and Stewarts for juggling our kids and loving on them while we had to be gone. And beyond having our kids, they, along with others in our small group, put together a care package for us with quarters for machines in the hospital, magazines, books, snacks, germ-x, and some cash for expenses. OH MY WORD. I am not a crier, but when we got that, I lost it. We have never in our married life been anywhere were we have had friends that have loved us like these people were loving us. I was, Overwhelmed. Humbled. Convicted. Overwhelmed by the sacrifices that these people were making on our behalf. Humbled by the generosity and thoughtfulness that went into that package. And convicted by the thought, 'would that be my first instinct?' would I love and give without a thought and expect nothing in return?
I most definitely buy into the philosophy that we are "blessed to be a blessing." I am also a firm believer that kids learn from what you do a lot more than from what you say. Which is a sobering thought to say the least. My prayer is that we are a giving family. Not just in dollars, because sometimes quite honestly that is too easy. But givers from a place of sacrifice. Givers unconditionally, with no strings attached. Givers out of gratitude. Givers out of obedience. Just givers.
I am grateful for God's love in our lives. My heart overflows with gratitude for the friends and relationships that He has chosen to bless us with. People who given to us sacrificially when we were not in a position to give back. People who have been the hands and feet of Jesus. People that allowed Him to use them to be a blessing to us. May I be a better Christ-follower and friend for it.
Christmas Day 09
We try to be very diligent about reminding our kids, well, specifically P at this point, about 'need' verses 'want.' And honestly, most of the time when we are teaching her principles of giving verses receiving, gratitude, contentment, etc. I am convicted. Just trying to stay in a place of contentment and being grateful for all that the Lord has chosen to provide and bless us with can be a challenge at the very least. So, with that in mind, we instituted a new philosophy in our gift giving for the kids this year... something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. I read a similar idea a while ago and thought, I love it! We can totally make that work for our family!
So, Christmas morning P woke up at the crack begging to open presents. I opened one eye, saw that it was still dark outside, and promptly sent her back to bed. Once Mas woke up, we drug ourselves out of bed to see what "Santa" had brought us. Grandma and Grandpa from CA had most of their gifts for the kids sent to our house so those were under the tree waiting to be opened as well.
For P the favorite item of the day was her American Girl Doll from her Grandma. She has been asking for one of these for about three years now and our answer has always been a resounding, "no." So, this year her Grandma and Grandpa came through for her! And boy was she thrilled!
And for Mason, his favorite thing was of course the first gift he opened (big mistake on our part!), "Queen" aka Lightning McQueen for his "leapsta."
We are truly blessed. I am so grateful for our life.
So, Christmas morning P woke up at the crack begging to open presents. I opened one eye, saw that it was still dark outside, and promptly sent her back to bed. Once Mas woke up, we drug ourselves out of bed to see what "Santa" had brought us. Grandma and Grandpa from CA had most of their gifts for the kids sent to our house so those were under the tree waiting to be opened as well.
For P the favorite item of the day was her American Girl Doll from her Grandma. She has been asking for one of these for about three years now and our answer has always been a resounding, "no." So, this year her Grandma and Grandpa came through for her! And boy was she thrilled!
And for Mason, his favorite thing was of course the first gift he opened (big mistake on our part!), "Queen" aka Lightning McQueen for his "leapsta."
We are truly blessed. I am so grateful for our life.
Monday, January 04, 2010
New Year of Writing My Stories
I am not big on new year's resolutions. Knowing I have to do something or not do something feels like I'm just setting myself up for failure. I guess it's the rebel in me that revolts. Not my thing. Anyway, a few days ago hubz sent me the link to this blog post by Don Miller. I have been wanting to read his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and after reading this post, it is definitely on my book list.
Number one on his list for "writing your story" is to 'want something.' And this year one of the things I want is to pray for Ryan, Peyton, and Mason daily. Sure, I have prayed for them up to this point; praying isn't a totally new concept to me. ha! But I want to be intentional about it.
Specifics, not just in generals.
I have a chart for thirty-one days of the month that I plan to use. So, I thought for the next month I will post my prayer for each day, in case anyone wants to join me. Obviously, I am a couple of days behind, so let's play catch-up, and then we will be on task tomorrow for the rest of the month.
1st--SALVATION--I pray that my family would obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. II Tim. 2:10.
2nd--GOD'S GRACE--May my family grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18.
3rd--LOVE--Father, grant that my family would learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in them. Eph. 5:2.
4th--INTEGRITY--Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect my family because their hope is in you. Ps 25:21.
Can't wait to get my prayer on for my peeps! Claiming and believing that God is working each of these virtues into each member of my family!
Number one on his list for "writing your story" is to 'want something.' And this year one of the things I want is to pray for Ryan, Peyton, and Mason daily. Sure, I have prayed for them up to this point; praying isn't a totally new concept to me. ha! But I want to be intentional about it.
Specifics, not just in generals.
I have a chart for thirty-one days of the month that I plan to use. So, I thought for the next month I will post my prayer for each day, in case anyone wants to join me. Obviously, I am a couple of days behind, so let's play catch-up, and then we will be on task tomorrow for the rest of the month.
1st--SALVATION--I pray that my family would obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. II Tim. 2:10.
2nd--GOD'S GRACE--May my family grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18.
3rd--LOVE--Father, grant that my family would learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in them. Eph. 5:2.
4th--INTEGRITY--Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect my family because their hope is in you. Ps 25:21.
Can't wait to get my prayer on for my peeps! Claiming and believing that God is working each of these virtues into each member of my family!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Christmas Eve 09
Our tradition continued this year with attending the Christmas Eve service at our church. It is a wonderful opportunity to go to "big church" as a family, focus on the season and what we are celebrating, and to take communion together. There is no childcare for this particular service, and taking a three year old into the main service can be a bit hairy. So we went in armed with snacks and the Leapster! Both of the kids did great, and I loved getting to worship as a family.
After the service we headed to our friends the Stewarts for a little Christmas Eve get together. This is our second year to have Stew Christmas Eve, and I think it is becoming a tradition as well. The invite was extended to quite a few families this year. The Stews are brave! And gracious hosts to boot! We like to be in our own home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning so we choose not travel, but having no family in town is sometimes tough when it comes to holidays and special events. I am grateful for the friends that we have that "do life" with us and embrace us like family.
In the spirit of traditions, the kids got to open one gift before bed. This gift is the same every year, new Christmas p.j.'s. "Here's your gift kids! Bet you can't guess what it is!"
We read the "Night Before Christmas" together, and then the treats were left for Santa, and this year P threw in a little treat for the reindeer as well as a note for Santa. The note--
Deer S. Nick,
Whey cant we se you. can you please wake me up. Can I see all your raindeer & take a short ride. I'm shore my parints wont minde. And if you say no I just hop you write back.
Your's troly,
Peyton Alexander
P.S. Please give the raindeers one caret each.
And here they are showin' off new p.j.'s! Gosh, I love these kids!
After the service we headed to our friends the Stewarts for a little Christmas Eve get together. This is our second year to have Stew Christmas Eve, and I think it is becoming a tradition as well. The invite was extended to quite a few families this year. The Stews are brave! And gracious hosts to boot! We like to be in our own home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning so we choose not travel, but having no family in town is sometimes tough when it comes to holidays and special events. I am grateful for the friends that we have that "do life" with us and embrace us like family.
In the spirit of traditions, the kids got to open one gift before bed. This gift is the same every year, new Christmas p.j.'s. "Here's your gift kids! Bet you can't guess what it is!"
We read the "Night Before Christmas" together, and then the treats were left for Santa, and this year P threw in a little treat for the reindeer as well as a note for Santa. The note--
Deer S. Nick,
Whey cant we se you. can you please wake me up. Can I see all your raindeer & take a short ride. I'm shore my parints wont minde. And if you say no I just hop you write back.
Your's troly,
Peyton Alexander
P.S. Please give the raindeers one caret each.
And here they are showin' off new p.j.'s! Gosh, I love these kids!
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