I am totally enjoying this time right now.  Supper is in the oven... kids are downstairs playing quietly with Daddy... I'm sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of Timmy's and... blogging, obviously.  

I can still smell the bread that was pulled out of the oven 20 minutes ago.  

This is nice...

Let the Peace of God Reign

Oh, Lord I hunger for more of You

Rise up within me, let me know Your truth.

Oh, Holy Spirit saturate my soul,

And let the life of God fill me now.

Let your healing power bring life and make me whole,

And let the peace of God reign.

Home Sweet Home

Those are the words Brooklyn uttered as we walked in the door today.  And it's so true.  No matter how much I love being at Mom and Dad's, it's always nice to get home.  The thing I'm looking forward to the most, is sleeping in our bed.  I miss my pillow, and the nice body groove I've made in my memory foam.  

In other news...  Brooklyn has discovered her first new tooth.  She said that it was hurting and so I felt it, and sure enough it's loose.  I find myself constantly pestering her to wiggle it.  There's a wiggle song from the Wonder Pets that she sings while she's doing it.  So cute!  

I'm worried that Samantha might be afraid of the dark.  Lately, long after Brooklyn has fallen asleep, I'll see that their light is on and Samantha is just laying in bed.  She's has told me that she's afraid of the dark.  But I never know whether she's repeating something she's heard, or if she actually means it.  So I prayed with her and left, turning the light off, and she didn't turn it back on.  So I hope she feels better.  

Rebecca seemed happy to be home as well.  She laid right down in her bed at bed time.  Just like before we left.  

The drive home went so well.  (thanks Mom for praying for that).  The girls were all happy and content to sit in the van and watch movies.  I had two naps, both an hour long.  I slept for the second hour and the second last hour.  It was sweet.  I actually remembered my pillow this time and found a comfortable way to sleep.  

Thank you, Lord for the safe trip home, for the wonderful weather, and a happy, healthy family.

Fun stuff

Trevor and I are dropping the kids off at his parents house for one weekend in April and we're racing off to Banff.  I can't wait!  I started talking about it some more today and I am starting to get excited.  I think it's close enough now that we can start planning some stuff, and start getting excited.  

We haven't had a weekend away together since we had the kids.  Plus it will be really near out 7th anniversary.  What a great way to celebrate!  

We just finished having a nice evening of playing games with my parents.  Now I'm going to have a bath and just hang out with hubby and my daddy until we all decide to go to bed. 

No staying up to late tonight, we're going to try and make it to church in the morning.  

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: 

let thy lovingkindness and thy TRUTH continually preserve me.

Psalm 40:11

Much Better

Today was much better.  I think it had a lot to do with the fact that before I got out of bed, I really set my mind right.  Made myself think about God being there with me, knowing that He will go with me throughout my day.  There was sometime that I felt fearful again, but I just refocused on God and it really was better.

Thank you, Lord, for being with me today.  I'm so glad that you know what's going to happen next and I just have to rest in your arms.  Thank you for taking care of my family.  And thank you for my parents.  I wouldn't be who I am today without them.

Struggles

I still feel like I'm really struggling.  I know the thoughts in my head are irrational... but it feels like I can't stop them.  

This happened last time I want to get closer to God.  And I do think it stopped me.  I know that God is doing something good in our lives.  In both Trevor and I.  I just need to keep on.  It doesn't matter what comes.  I've had this song going through my head...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of Earth with grow strangely dim.  In the light of His glory and grace.

I need to remember that.  When I focus on God, nothing else matters.  It's just hard to do that when I have three little girls running around and have these thoughts of fear barraging my brain.  

But....

I can do ALL things, through Christ who strengthens me.  

Battle

Yesterday I felt like I was battling all day. Well, not all day, but good portions of it. I still feel that way. I just keep getting these thoughts of fear, and although I know enough not to entertain them, it is still really hard. And it feels like it just crushes my spirit. It's hard to see the truth through all the lies. I know God is there, even if I have a hard time finding Him.

And that is comforting.

I also know that he will give me grace through this time.

Full

There is just something special about family gathered around, sharing stories, listening, loving...

My cousins are in town.  My brother and his family came over as well.  This evening was just so great.  I'm not a big talker when there are a lot of people around... but I love to listen.  

Just thinking about it now, I could feel something.  I can still feel it here.  Or should I say, Him. There is a presence that I can feel so clearly.  I can feel Him in my very soul.  

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for my family.  Thank you for gatherings that bring us closer together. Thank you for your presence.  

We did it!!

Brooklyn was such a big girl! She was so excited when we were headed to the mall. She started to look a little nervous when she was sitting in the chair. I asked if she wanted to hold my hand and she didn't really care... so I held it anyway. I will never forget the look on her face as the earring went in. Then the lady did the other one... Brooklyn was really worried by then, but so brave. She didn't cry, or move, or say a word. Which is completely out of character for her. So, when the last earring went in she got tears in her eyes.. and was really trying not to cry and the lady said something that made Brooklyn laugh. Then the tears where gone and she was fine. They are pink earrings, if you can't see them. He favorite colour is pink. The redness lasted about 1/2 a day. As you can see, she got an ice cream cone when we got home. She loves her new earrings and really enjoys showing people.

INFP

Introvert, iNtuitive, Feeler, Perceiver (INFP)


INFPs represent between 4 and 5% of the U.S. population


INFPs value inner harmony above all else. Sensitive, idealistic, and loyal, they have a strong sense of honor concerning their personal values and are often passionately committed to making sure their beliefs and actions are congruent. INFPs are also extremely perceptive about people. They value their uniqueness and typically seek unconventional ways of doing things. Sensitive and empathetic, INFPs tend to be exceptionally adept at reading between the lines. Although they demonstrate cool reserve on the outside, INFPs care deeply inside. They are compassionate, sympathetic, understanding and very sensitive to the feelings of others. They avoid conflict and are not interested in impressing or dominating others unless their values are at stake. INFPs seldom express the intensity of their feelings and often appear reticent and calm. However, once they know you, they are enthusiastic and warm. Feeling truly understood and respected for their unique perspective and strong values is important for many INFPs.


I'm actually surprised by how much this sounds like me... if you know me... tell me what you think.

God Intoxicated

I've started reading this book Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado. I am thoroughly enjoying it. It has brought me to a new level and has put a name to something I've known that I've wanted for a while, but didn't really know how to explain.

I guess it started when I was a teenager. My youth leader once told us about his friend who was in a constant conversation with God. All throughout his day he would constantly be talking to God. I thought that was cool. I've thought about it off and on through my life and have sometimes put it into practice. There have been periods in my life where I have been able to do this. No through the whole day, or all the time, but every once in a while through a day, I would just say a little prayer to God.

But now, I want to bring this to a whole new level.

Max Lucado talks about a man, Frank Laubach, born in the US in 1884. When he was 44 he wrote:

Can we have that contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence? Can we attain that? Can we do His will all the time? Can we think His thoughts all the time? ... Can I bring the Lord back in my mind-flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind? I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question.

This man is my new hero. He kept a journal and I am going to try and get my hand on some literature about him. There are some more quotes of his that I have, and I am totally inspired. And by the way, this man was not a monk. He was a busy man who in Max Lucados words, "was a missionary to the illiterate, teaching them to read so they could know the beauty of the Scriptures."

For a few months now I have been wondering what the goal of a Christian is. Is it too be as good as we can? Follow the Ten Commandments? Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbour as yourself? Yes... but I feel there is so much more. And I finally feel like I have a goal.

At the beginning of this week, I was totally blown away by something I read and felt the need to start a new blog. I blogged twice. But have since realized that I don't want to separate my life. I don't want this blog to be about my family and such, while the other blog is about God. I don't want to put God in a box. The reason I was starting a new blog is because I felt God was pulling me in a new direction, but that doesn't mean it should be separate from this. It should be in this.. consuming it, if need be.

I need to hear things like this every once-in-a-while.

Hi, I'm a Mac...

Trevor did the sweetest thing tonight.  He went out to buy us coffee.  Came home and said, "Honey, come here.  I'm never going to Timmy's again.  Look how they messed up my order."  So, I went upstairs and to my delight, there was a new Macbook sitting on the table.  He NEVER does things like this so I am thrilled!  He's learning what I like!  It only took 7 years.  But seriously, I'm thrilled!  

Now I have the job of trying to figure this thing out.  I am changing my email address, so if I email you, be looking for a new one from me.  I'll still be checking the old one, though.  

Back to work.. trying to figure this thing out.

Help!

I have a dilemma. I asked Brooklyn if she wants to get her ears pierced. She does. But I know she doesn't understand how much it's going to hurt. I don't want to tell her how much it will hurt, and scare her. I also don't want to take her without her understanding because I don't want her to feel like I lied to her. I don't think she would.. but I would feel like I was betraying her. I don't know how to explain how I feel about it. I should have done her ears when she was a baby, like my Mom did for me.. but she was just so little, and she was my first one.. I just couldn't do it. But now I know I should have. I know she'll never understand how much it will hurt until she does it, so maybe I should just take her. Does anyone have any suggestions?