2 Arms Are Enough

On days like today when I need a shower, I'm recovering from a nasty little virus, and I'm still in my pajamas at 11:00 am it just seems like two arms just aren't enough.

With a 2 year old dead weight on my shoulder who is too sick and too sad to be put down and a whimpering one year old toddling after us, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

With everyone sick, and me trying to sanitize the "important" things and wash down everything that I'm able, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

Breaking up squabbles, while trying to get everyone fed, praying to the Lord that they'll all keep down whatever I feed them, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

If only I had one more hand to clean, to hold, or to help.  If only I was able to do a little more.  "Mommy needs both hands right now," has been a reoccurring phrase in our home this week and each time it's met with sobs from little hearts that just need comfort.

If I had an extra arm maybe I'd win the biological warfare that's being waged in our home, maybe I'd get the carpet vacuumed, maybe I'd get the furniture dusted.

But 2 arms are enough to hold and help the children who need me.  They're enough to take care of the little ones who just need a little comfort.

2 arms are enough, because I have a God who helps in my time of trouble.  I have a God who I can turn to when I need strength.

2 Arms are enough because  I have a God who I call Lord, who is more than enough.

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Choosing to be Thankful

I posted a few weeks ago about being "bumped" and my less than Christ-like deportment when faced with stress in my life.  Well the bumps just keep on coming : )

To summarize my life in a nutshell, my husband and I just bought our first home, we've moved, and our home is currently under construction and probably will be in a perpetual state of being fixed up for at least the next month; oh and I'm due in November did I mention that?

It just feels like the battles keep on coming.  There's a huge part of me that just wants a break!

On the other hand each "bump" comes with a tremendous blessing.  So much of our present state of mind is all about perception, we can choose to be grumpy or we can choose to be thankful for the things that God has given us.

I think I'll choose thankfulness.

(Pub KJV) The Most Important Thing In Our Home

I've been recovering from a bad infection and needless to say my energy has tanked.  I haven't exercised in almost 3 weeks, and I can hardly get up from the couch to do dishes or make dinner.  Things are looking better, but now I'm getting greatly discouraged at the state of my not so clean house. 

Having a clean house however is not the most important thing about this home.  Fixing the bit of carpet my cat scratched up isn't either.  Cleaning the raspberry stain in my living room isn't even number one on my priority list.  Nor is shoveling my walk, doing the laundry, taking out the trash, or even paying the bills.

The most important thing in this home is Christ.  Taking a moment with my toddler and teaching her John 3:16, the twenty-third Psalm or the Lord's prayer is a far more important thing than dishes.  Explaining to my children how God created everything in 6 literal days and how everything was once perfect greatly exceeds the need to clean up the kitty litter.  Teaching my children, even though they might not understand it now, that Jesus loves them more than anyone and wants to live in their hearts is thousands of times more important than any cleaning that needs to be done.  Taking a moment at the beginning and end of the day to pray with my husband while the children are in bed is a bigger blessing to my marriage than a 4 course dinner.

Do not misunderstand me.  Keeping my home in order and running smoothly are very important things.  They just pale in comparison to the need to keep Christ the number one priority.  My great-grandchildren will probably never know about my house-keeping habits, but I pray they will know my effort to be faithful to Christ.  I can't take a shiny kitchen sink to heaven with me, but my children will be able to come providing they've made a decision to follow Christ.  That decision starts with every small thing they are taught by my husband and I. 

I suppose I can stand to look at a sink of dirty dishes while I'm still recovering, knowing that we haven't forgotten the most important thing.

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

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Feeling Close To God

 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?   I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.  Jeremiah 17:7-10

I've been reading so many comments on Facebook, and other blogs lately about not "feeling" close to God.  I've even received e-mails from people asking me to pray for them because they don't feel like they once did in their Christian walk.  Although I don't pretend to be an expert on this particular subject, I've certainly had my moments when I've "felt" the same way.

If we have sin in our life it's like there is a impenetrable force field between us and God, luckily forgiveness is only a prayer away.  Barring unforgiven sin however, there are times in our life when emotionally we don't feel as "connected" to God, and that's OK.  I'll say it again, it's OK! You're not broken, it's just a part of our normal fallible human emotions.   Our hearts are inherently wicked, our emotions are deceitful, we can't trust them. 

Our trust must be placed in the Lord, not our emotions.  When our hope and our faith is in the Lord we will be like a tree planted by the waters, we're not going to be moved by the storms of life and we won't "cease from yielding fruit" if we are trusting in God.

Although it's easy to say this, but when we pick up God's scriptures and he feels distant it's sometimes hard to believe.  Luckily my relationship with God has nothing to do with how I feel on a day to day basis, I can still serve him in the valley or on the mountain top.  If I depended on my emotions I would probably never read my Bible, go to church, or pray.  I do these things because they are the right thing to do not because I want to do them, or even do them because they make me feel good.  God's word tells me to do these things, my trust is in him therefore I do them.

I am so glad my salvation has nothing to do with how I feel.  If it did I would be questioning it often.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

If we have accepted Christ in our hearts, if we believe that He died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, then we're saved.  The Bible doesn't say that we're only saved if we feel like we're saved, the Bible says if we call upon the name of the Lord we're saved.  There are no clauses that say we're going to feel like we're madly in love with God every day, or filled with a burning desire to serve him with all of our beings.

I deeply love my husband, but there are days when my emotions make this feeling almost non-existent.  (Engaged couples and newly weds pay attention)  That's OK, it's normal!  If everyone who was in love  always had that iggy snookie muffin feeling then none of us would ever get anything accomplished and we'd still be living in little huts without any technology.  My love is a choice, my love is an action.  Making his lunch, making our bed, writing a note, kissing him when he gets home, making his favorite meal; even when I don't particularly feel "in love" these are all ways that I love my husband.  I do these things because I know love is not an emotion it's a daily choice.

The same is with our relationship with God.  Even if we don't feel grateful, in awe of His majesty, thankful for His salvation, in Love with our creator, or burdened to serve; we can still show these things (and should) through our actions. 

We can still show our thanks through prayer even if we don't feel grateful, scriptures tell us to be thankful in all things, therefore we should do this even when we don't feel like it. We can sing hymns praising God for His greatness and salvation, even if our hearts feel burdened.  We can choose to serve and do what God asks us to even if we don't feel particularly close to Him.

We can rest assured in the knowledge of God's Word that we are saved if we have Christ in our heart, the only problem is once we're saved we still war with our flesh.  If God removed all human emotions the moment we came to know Him then things might be different.  God however does not do this we're left to struggle with our feelings and we must choose to serve God even when we don't necessarily feel like it.  Everyone goes through this.  It is our choices that define us in these moments, and our trust in God that will keep us stable.

If this post has been a blessing to you be sure to share it with others on Facebook or Twitter.  I think a lot of other Christians need to hear this particular message.


Blessings!

Month of Thankfulness, My Husband and Saving Money

My thankfulness list of 10 things a day got stopped dead in it's track this past week as I was suffering from a cold and a bad case of the grumps.  Unfortunately for me I didn't keep up with my list because I think it would have greatly improved my attitude.  Next week I'll post  my continuing list but today I'd like to say I'm  thankful for my husband and saving money.

Without being overly sappy in regards to my husband I am so blessed it's not even funny.  Yesterday for example I got it in my head we were going to get our family to do our Christmas photos.  I refuse to go back to a studio, because even when you come armed with a coupon that says you can get a great package for only $12.95 you wind up spending $90.  (And have you noticed the photographers always refuse to tell you how much the pictures are costing as you add them to your order, they're very sneaky!) 

At any rate, my parents had bought the girls adorable Christmas dresses, and I am going to do my best to do a Christmas card this year , so it seemed like the perfect time to do photos.  Needless to say my husband was a very good sport about everything, including getting draped in black cloth in order to take a better photo of our youngest.  He looked like some sort of black ghost sitting in the middle of our living room.  (Our dog wasn't sure what to do.)

We got 2 very cute pictures of the girls that I'm very happy with.  Trying to get a picture of the whole family was of course another story.  I think out of 20 photos and photoshop I might be able to come up with something workable but we'll see.  It will be better than spending $90 that's for sure!  All in all I'm sure my husband put up with our little photo shoot because he knew how much money we would be saving, but also because, quite frankly I'm married to a really great guy.



Linking up with Marriage Monday's and Making Your Home Sing Monday's

Month of Thankfulness, Homemaking

I am so grateful for being able to stay at home.  God's providence amazes me in this area and there is no question in my mind he desires me to be at home in order to be the best wife and mother possible.  Because I stay at home there are so many things I'm able to do that I wouldn't if  I were working.  I certainly understand that there are situations where Mom, just has to work, I'm certainly not judging, just sharing the blessing of staying home from my perspective.

-My devotional and prayer life isn't cut short because I'm rushing around.

-I'm able to keep a clean house without the chaos of clutter.

- I get to be a part of my children's firsts, not a day care worker.

- I can provide my family home cooked meals every night.

- My children get my best time, not burnt out time.

- I'm able to take time for myself during the day.

- My husband and I aren't on opposite schedules, so our marriage doesn't suffer from lack of time together.

- I have time to be my husband's girl-friend 

-I can volunteer time to my church on Sunday's because I'm not frazzled.

- I can call family members during the week to bless them and be blessed.

I certainly don't intend to say that someone is a bad parent or wife if they choose to work full or part time.   However, in my family just being home provides more to my marriage and children than a second income ever could.  Of course we've had to make sacrifices, but the benefits far out-weigh them.  I'm so blessed to say being a mother and wife is my full time job, it brings my family and me joy that I simply can't describe.

Blessings!

Kasey

Feel free to link-up a Thanksgiving post here, I'll be having a link-up every Sunday.

I'm linking up at Making Your Home Sing Monday's, http://maryjoy-lifemoments.blogspot.com/ and Marriage Monday's

Picture From Freefoto.com

Month of Thankfulness, The beginning of my list with Linky

 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3 

For each Sunday in the month of November I will be posting my list of Thanksgiving.  I've been trying to write down 10 things every day that I'm thankful for.  I find it's very hard to complain about anything when I turn my heart to gratitude.  Feel free to link up if you have any Thanksgiving related posts or a list of your own. 

The List, Part I
I'm Thankful for (in no particular order)
Color Wonder- No crayon marks to clean when leaving a toddler unattended is a good thing.
Splenda,
Board Games             
 Ceiling Fans- My grandfather installed 2 for us this summer since we had no AC, they made all the difference.                Living in an area typically free of natural disasters
My family's home            
Our video games-even though we seldom play it, it's nice to know it's there in case there's ever a boring moment                
Blankets- My husband and I have more than we could ever use
The voice lessons my parents invested in when I was growing up.                 
The piano lessons my grandparents invested in when I was growing up
Being raised in a Christian home
My education
God's Protection
Playing Hide and Seek with Ivy
My Jewelry- I certainly don't have anything worth stealing, but it's worth far more in sentiment.
Warm Towels out of the dryer
Coffee
Mocha mint creamer
Running Water
Free Time- It does exist!
My Salvation
The Bible
The Privilege to Pray
Hope of Heaven
Cell Phones
My books
Glasses
Heat
My Mother
My Father
My Sister
My In-laws
My Husband
My Children
A Piano
A Computer
Access to the Internet
My Right to Vote
Our Soldiers, willing to Fight
Felicity's Smiles
Ivy's Words
Cloth Diapers
Washer
Dryer
Dishwasher
Salvation of my family
My Cat
My Dog
Thanksgiving Day
My Marriage
My husbands Job
Our Cars
Kroger Fuel points
2 Bathrooms
Deodorant
Cinnamon smelling candles to be warmed.
Warm Showers
24 Hour Pharmacists on call -we needed one last night, I'm so glad people are willing to work that shift.
Cold Medicine
Allergy Medicine that doesn't make me sleepy
Cupboards full of Food
A Working Ice-maker
A working Refrigerator
A Church that teaches the Bible
My Church Family
Hand Sanitizer
Online Christmas Shopping

This is Just the beginning of my list, my family is truly blessed.  I'm so grateful for all my needs to be provided, but just astounded by all the wants God gives us as well.  So, what are you thankful for?  Feel free to post a list or just a post talking about one thing as we all get our minds focusing on thankfulness.

Linking up with Raising Homemakers and http://maryjoy-lifemoments.blogspot.com/

A Month of Thankfulness, My Vote

"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."
Psalm 116:17

This month I'm focusing my personal devotions on Thankfulness. So often I let the holiday of Thanksgiving  rush by me without really having time to be grateful for all the wonderful things God has blessed me with.  Right on the cusp of Christmas, Thanksgiving is often the lesser holiday but a heart of Thankfulness will truly allow us to be ready for celebrating God's greatest blessing, the gift of His Son.


The Bible often describes thanksgiving as a sacrifice, and many times offering our gratitude does require a measurable amount of effort. For example, I'm so grateful for the right to vote in this country.  We're not lead by a cruel dictator, or emperor.  This country is lead by elected officials the populace chooses.  We may get people in Washington that we don't agree with but someone who is a true "crazy" (Think Nero burning down Rome) would never last.  God has given us a wonderful protection in this way.

For me just to say I'm grateful for my vote however without, any action does not show true gratefulness.  It would be easy for me to make my excuses, after all I have 2 small children.  Getting them to the precinct during the day is next to impossible and who wants to vote late at night? It certainty isn't ideal, but my husband and I will be doing the kid shuffle tonight just so we can both get out to vote.  It isn't enough for us to pay lip service about our gratitude for living in such a great country.  We need to show it today in our votes.

I'm Sharing my Month of Thankfulness Here:

Sweet Little Child

Today was an extremely full day.  (Bet you didn't see that one coming)  It started out with waking up at 5:30 in order to get to a 7:15 doctor's appointment with Ivy's orthopedist an hour away.  Needless to say everyone's sleep schedule was thrown more than a little off and everyone was just a little fussy.  The news from her doctor continues to be good, and for that we are very thankful. 

Because everyone was a little thrown off today I was a little more lax about my television rule and when Ivy started asking me (more like pleading) if she could watch Mo' (Elmo) on the computer. I gave in rather quickly.  I did however make her clean up her toys first.

My husband and I were sitting in the living room with Ivy, and talking with each other about how much we appreciate that Sesame Street always includes children with disabilities, and of many different races in their show because there are a lot of kids who never get exposed to wheel-chairs, braces, or even someone with a different color skin.  Then, the next video started. It didn't seem like one that should make me cry but I started to almost immediately.  It was just a video of a little boy planting seeds in a cup, nothing really that special or dramatic.  The little boy however had Down Syndrome.  The reason why I was crying wasn't because Sesame Street had set out to make a tear jerker video about a handicap child succeeding in a special task. On the contrary, nothing in the video even acknowledged the little boys handicap, no emotional music, no narrative about how this little boy is special, it was just a little boy planting some seeds in a cup.

The reason why I started to weep was because nearly 40% of these little miracle children are killed before they even leave the womb.  They never get to experience the joy of planting seeds and watching them grow, because it was deemed that they wouldn't live a life of value.  They'll never get to taste apples or pizza.  Their faces won't light up when they watch a Disney cartoon.  They'll never grow and learn how to become somewhat self-sufficient because they were never given the opportunity.

Just because someone's quality of life is going to be different than ours does not mean that they will not have one.  Children and adults who are disabled teach compassion and care to everyone around them.  They teach us service in a way that nothing else can.  Every mother wants their child to be perfect, but our God has a plan for every single baby.  My soul breaks when I think of all the children who will never taste ice-cream or learn how to tie their shoe. Almost one out of every four children are killed before they have a chance at life.

I'm not writing this to accuse anyone who has had an abortion of being a horrible person, my heart breaks for you.  I have never met a woman or man whose child was aborted that didn't greatly regret it. (Please know that God is able and wants to forgive you even when you can't forgive yourself) The only reason why I'm writing this today was because I was so blessed by the life of one little boy.  I'm not sure if his parents had any indication before birth that he was going to have Down Syndrome, but I am so glad they allowed him to be born so he could be a blessing to others.

My Statistics can be found here and the video can be found here, again it's not a tear jerker in and of itself, just a little boy planting some seeds.

Weekend Wedding

2 John 12

"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."

 

Driving across state 3 hours for a 2 hour wedding reception and then spending another 3 hours in the car with an infant is, suffice it to say, an adventure.  Why would any 2 sane adults choose to embark on this journey you may ask; the answer is simple, the man who was getting married had made a lasting impact on my husband's life and sending a congratulatory note simply wasn't enough.  My husband wanted to see his friend, hug him, and tell him how truly happy he was for him. 

 
 

At first we weren't going to go to the wedding, the logistics, to me seemed far too complicated.  In addition to that my husband was unable to get the day off of work so going to the ceremony was out of the question, and we would be more than fashionably late to the reception. Coupled with the X factor of a 3 month old, going didn't seem like a good plan.  We are however truly glad we did decide to make the trip.

 
 

I have to admit, in terms of fellowship it's been awhile since I've sincerely told a friend at church I was happy to see them. Sometimes I take people's presence for granted rather than having a heart full of joy to be able to eat, study, and worship with my fellow believers and dearest loved ones. Seeing my husband's joy after merely talking to a friend for a few minutes he hasn't seen in 3 years makes me truly understand the importance of being with our Christian friends in a physical form and not just social networking.

 

The car ride home was somewhat bittersweet. My husband realized how much the friendship he had with this man, even if it was only for a season, had truly meant to him. He immediately started missing someone he hadn't seen in 3 years once we left. I am glad however to have the assurance that no matter how short lived our friendships seem to be on earth, if we both have Christ, we'll be able to spend all eternity worshipping God together, face to face, and then our joy truly will be full.