World's Biggest Failure

Happy New Year!! I can't believe this blog is still here. Pretty sure I didn't post once last year. Life is full with 4 kiddos and homeschooling three of them. Chasing my youngest should be an Olympic sport. Man, can that kid get into mischief. Just tonight I found a package of toilet paper in their room, a book in the pantry and I still hear him talking in his bed. It's 10pm!! He's our little busy blessing.

So this year I'm hoping to write a little more. I can't tell you how often I think of things to share but time is just not there. I'm doing good to keep clean clothes in the drawers. Or at least off my bed. Anyone else keep a pile of clean clothes on their bed with full intention of folding and putting away before bed; only to shift it back to the laundry basket? yah, me too...(I'm really hoping I'm not the only one)..

Nobody likes feeling like a failure and by this time of the year you might feel like one because you've set out, with good intentions, to keep some New Year's resolution, but have already slipped and caved in. Whether it's giving up a bad habit or starting a good one, it's hard to stay on track. For those of you going strong--way to go!!

One resolution that tends to lose steam and excitement is reading through the Bible. It's no fun going to your checklist and seeing the missed days and soon, you table the idea. It's like those dates mock you, sneer at you and scream failure in your face. Okay, maybe it's just me. Point is, if you're like me and really wanted to make this your year, you haven't even started and it kinda stinks. In the past I might have had good intentions to "just start today" but it's no fun checking a box that reads January 1 and it's January 29.

I'm here to share with you a very cool new Bible reading plan that's for shirkers and slackers. Check this out, it's called Bible Reading Program for Slackers and Shirkers. Love it! Read Margie's story and hope you find some inspiration!

Happy reading and growing in God's amazing grace this new year!

Any Readers Left?

I'd be surprised seeing that I haven't posted in like, forever! I don't have to tell you that life is crazy. Busy, busy, busy and this time of year is no exception. In fact, it's this time of year that schedules are packed full of holiday activities. I so wish I had more time in my day.

But, if I had more time, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't guarantee I'd post more-or start using it wisely. Might as well learn to live with my 24 hours God gave me.

It's December 2 and I really don't want to decorate for Christmas. Not because I'm not loving this time of year, quite the opposite. It thrills me to pull out our red bins from storage and hear the kids get excited. It's buggin' a little that I don't see when I can do it and I don't want to decorate two weeks before Christmas. We leave tomorrow for a weekend in Sunriver to attend Oregon's Make it With Wool Contest. I'm looking forward to seeing Doug's sister and family from Sweet Home. Oregon, not Alabama. :) And this is something our family looks forward to as it provides a little vaca for us. Plus, the girls worked really hard on their skirts and we get a kick out of seeing them model them for the judges.

Next weekend we have Doug's company party Friday and then Emily's Piano program Saturday. Guess I'll have to decorate in the middle of the week. Couldn't I just skip this year? It's all for Jesus, right? He doesn't care if we don't put up a tree.

Just kidding. We'll decorate. But, I want to know what your family does this time of year to make the art of decorating for the celebration of our Savior's birth not become a dull task or laborious job.

It's a YouTube Kind of Post

If you know me well, you know that I have the tendency to be all or nothing in my thoughts/actions/attitudes. As you also have seen, I don't write on this here bloggy-blog very often as I'm a busy mama of four. There are so many things I want to write about (a line I think I've written several times already on here) and yet the time just doesn't allow. Time-management is an area I struggle with and am working on. But, I digress.

Here recently I've come across several videos that I thought were worth sharing. If I had my act together, I would make them three different posts, as they are all un-related. However, I am doing it all--to avoid doing nothing. :)

My first video is of Mark Driscoll sharing his thoughts on the church family. It was very convicting and I am curious what speaks to you through what he has to say:



The second video is a funny video that some may see as a slap in the face if it's the way their church does things, but I see it as a way of showing us that we all have our own style of worship and without Christ, it's just routine. Let's not lose sight of what worship is. For me, I want my outward actions to be a pure, natural reaction to what God has done in my heart. How about you? Does worship matter to you and how to you overcome idols of the heart?

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The last is a song that really describes where I'm at right now. I am in a battle of the flesh. I've recently come to see that there are certain things (okay things) that simply do not fit in my life. If I am to be holy as He is holy, I must, must let go of certain things that I know feed my flesh. Is it temporary? Maybe. Regardless, I want to be used of God and I can't be a vessel for Him with these idols in my way. So, enjoy this song and may it lift you to a new level of righteous living.

It's All Our Fault

Sorry our mommy hasn't been on here writing about stuff, but we keep her pretty busy. :)

One Hundred Eleven

Since entering the blogging world I've noticed a fun trend of bloggers making a list of 100 facts (useless, humorous and down-right interesting) about oneself when they reached their hundredth post. I couldn't wait until I reached this seemingly notable milestone in the blogoshpere.

But fate would have it that at my 100th post I felt led to write about the marvelous grace of God and recount how He drew me to Himself.

Now I'm thinking it would be fun to make a list and join the par-tay and just add eleven more to my "list". So, here I go:

1. I love being a wife.
2. I love being a mom.
3. It's not easy being a wife.
4. Or a mom.
5. I shop at the world's largest Costco.
6. I have a desire to grow in godliness but battle laziness and self-sufficiency.
7. Jesus Christ paid my debt and wish I had words to explain how awesome that is.
8. I don't like bees.
9. My husband is a visionary.
10.His latest project is to raise bees.
11. I have no desire to help.
12. His bees died and I was secretly rejoicing.
13. I repented in my heart and told him I was sorry he lost his hives.
14. I'm thinking this list is getting more boring by the second.
15. I will say that I have THE best friends a girl could ask for.
16. God has been ever so kind to bring these godly women into my life.
17. I'm thinking about abandoning this project.
18. Like, right now.
19. Hey, I know. I'll just copy the 111th Psalm. Let's see what that says:

Psalm 111
Great Are the LORD’s Works

1. Praise the LORD!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2. Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
3. Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5. He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6. He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7. The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8. they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9. He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

And to that list, all I can say is, AMEN and AMEN!

Pardon the mess...

...while I re-arrange and give my blog a little make-over. I could spend so much time on here but must run. We're leaving the kids (and their tattling and complaining) to Nana and going on a date night. :)

Come back soon!

Hey, what do you think of the new name?

Oh, and one more thing. Can I just say that Jessica over at A Blog to Brag About is awesome!

Emily told me it's not good to brag. :D

What's a blog?

Oh yes, it's that thing you jot down thoughts, quotes, rants, raves, prayers, songs, and the like. It's been so long. Too long.

There have been so many random thoughts going through my mind and I wish I could transfer my brain waves to my computer and the blog would automatically update. :)

Well, who knows if this hiatus will last or if I will get back into a groove. Anticipating my little baby Caleb will either suck all of my time (which is most likely) or I will make time to keep you all updated on the life of a sinner saved by grace.

First Blog Giveaway!!

I'm back from a wonderful trip to D.C. and an incredible time at Worship God. When asked what was the most significant thing I walked away with, I'm speechless. Not sure how to wrap three days of intense worship into a thought or two. I plan on reviewing my notes and maybe re-listening to some of the sermons before posting my thoughts here.

I guess one thought that has resonated with me is my lack of seeing and savoring Jesus Christ. Finding my joy in Him alone is a moment-by-moment, grace dependent endeavor.

SO, I'm breaking my blogging silence with a book giveaway!!

Leave a comment and a way to contact you for your chance to win John Piper's book: Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ.

If you link to this post through your blog, I'll enter your name for a second time. Want a third entry? Twitter or facebook this little giveaway, and there you go. A third entry.

Thanks for visiting!

I'll mail to anywhere in the U.S.

Unintentional Break

It's been a while since I've been inspired to write anything and I'm thinking this isn't the first time I've said this. There do seem to be a thousand things swirling through my brain, though.

One thing I've really enjoyed lately is listening to Mark Driscoll's sermon series on 1 & 2 Peter. Check it out here.

I'm slowly making my way through four different books: Practical Theology for Women, Seeing & Savoring Jesus Christ, A Gospel Primer and The Beatitudes. All are not large books and easy to read. But, there is a lot of biblical truth in them that I often find myself unable to move on until I have really pondered what I just read.

That leads me to say I have really been slack on meditating and studying God's Word. I long for the day when I will just sit at Jesus' feet and see the fullness of God's beauty face-to-face and my lazy, sinful self will be done away with.

But perseverance is a rewarding thing. My children remind me of my need to know the Word of God. My imperfect husband reminds me of the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. And, my own sinful heart reminds me of my inability to change. Therefore, I will continue to savor Christ, read and drink of His Word and learn as much as I can this side of eternity.

Unmeasured Grace: Book Giveaway! - Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption

Unmeasured Grace: Book Giveaway! - Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption

My friend, Loraena, at Unmeasured Grace is giving away a brand new book: Heirs With Christ: Puritans on Adoption. Click here to see the table of contents and chapter one of the book. This book is intriguing to me because when I struggle with sin or struggling to find joy I need to be reminded that I am in the family of God. I am an heir with Christ! There is no condemnation. There is no more wrath. Bask in the glory of that. So, go check out Unmeasured Grace and enter the drawing.

Yah, what she said...

This blogging business is much harder than I realized. When I first started, I had the idea that I would use it as a sound board to share what God is doing in my life and to hear from others as they walk through the sanctifying work of Christ in their own lives. Problem is, to find time to blog is difficult. My children seem to take up my free-time. Imagine that. :o)

I have a list on my desk of potential blog entries but soon time passes and the idea is no longer fresh or the moment has passed. Is it too late to blog about my dear husband's surprise birthday party...two weeks ago?

One entry was going to be a follow-up to The Gospel. Then, I saw that my idea was articulated very well (much better than I would have) here.

The beautiful thing about blogging-linking.

Tenth of the way there

So, my friend Lisa has just celebrated her 100th post by posting 100 random things about her and her family. Very funny. She asked what happened to my passion for blogging. It's still here. I think of stuff to write all the time but sitting down to do it is well, a time-sucker. Is that a word? Regardless, I want to write but find I don't have time and quite frankly, I don't want to say anything stupid and look like a moron. Zip-it, Sharon. :)

So, I'm a tenth of the way to 100 posts as this is my 10th post and hopefully I will keep going.

I've entered the blogging world!

Blogging...eh...why would I want to blog? What do I have to say? I'm not like my friends, who have been blogging for years, that share their dramatic medical journeys with their children, and tell of their wonderful adoptions and share their trips to foreign soils. I have a fairly average life. I mean, I think my family is great and all but they don't do anything spectacular and frankly, I thought my life would be boring and not worth sharing. I'm not a great creative writer and let's face it, there's a lot of pressure out here in the blogging world to sound witty, funny, charming or intellectual. So, the truth is, I haven't had much to say until now...