For This Season

{m.i.a. continued}

After a busy weekend in Fayetteville, a sweet baby shower, a very ill grandmother  who is hospitalized - I am just now sitting down after spending some time with the boys.  Now, it is just the computer and I.  We have a very long date night planned.   Kind-of like a blind date; I'm not quite so certain it will like me or even be nice to me.  Now, if it will just not be in the fighting mood as it has been the last two weeks!!!!   Just one more week of being busy beyond belief and then all should settle down. Did I seriously just type that? 

But, I am about to light a Cinnamon Cider (my fav, Tonya!) candle.  So, that will help drown out the fact the boys are fighting in the background.   Olfactory trumps auditory in my little world. Or, at least I try to convince myself.   Now, where is that candle lighter?

{it's a very sad day}

when I post a picture of a calendar.  BUT....I had to step up a tad as my tattered and torn and marked on (thank you very much, E!) planner was a bit embarrassing when I took it to meet with potential clients / consult for a wedding shoot.  So, I splured and got this........

Okay, so I wasn't totally "professional" and got the leopard print.  But, you know...plain black is just not me.   I really wanted the MomAgenda one, but, again, went more professional with the MyAgenda version.  And, it will take me through 2009 - so, that's a good thing.   I started the transfer of information last night.   & Evan has been forewarned. 

{caught red-handed}

What a weekend it was!  En route home Saturday after a birthday party, I spied quite the sight in the middle of Scott's parents pasture......thieves.  And, lets just say it didn't sit well with me.   I made it very obvious that they were caught.  And, what were they stealing?  A rock.   A rock that is huge and flat and has been the top of a well from our boys great, great grandparents old home place.  It took three thieves to lift it.   Once they saw me, I moved around to the gate.  Which, they were somewhat thoughtful thieves, they had shut the gate behind them so the cows would not get out.  Very nice of them.  I was shocked that they stopped for me.  But, they likely saw the fire in my eyes.  When I asked what they were doing?  "welllllllll, a man named Bill at the store up there sold it to us for $100".   The mama bear came out in me.....I quite loudly informed them that the story was quite funny, since the man that owns that property is my father-in-law, and no, his name is not Bill.  I very sternly informed them that was a treasure to this family, and if they knew what was good for them, they would quickly get back across that field and replace it.   They argued they had purchased it.  Wrong.  I reminded them of how unhappy my FIL would be.  They raced back across the field.  Again, they were nice enough to lock the gate.   When they left, I'm sure they cringed as I wrote down their liscense plate number.  They barely made it out before my FIL arrived.  

A few days prior, a guy who appears to fit the description of one of these guys, tore down a huge rental sign on the property.  Because.........a guy at the lake store wanted it down.  Nice.   And, the sad thing is.......we know who the vehicle belongs to.....but guess what.  Not much can be done because we did not have a LOCK on the gate.   How much sense does that make?  It wasn't that they returned them that got them out of the trouble.  But, that we were at fault because we did not have it locked.   Okay, I was very angry in the heat of it all....now, I am beyond livid.  What a nice, comforting justice system we have.  And, yes, I know it was a rock.  But, it was our rock.   

{a week in review}

as usual, I am behind on everything......here are some tidbits of the week, hopefully, I can post pics soon! 

*  Noah is thrilled with 2nd grade.  Given, it's only the fifth day, but so far, no trouble for "socializing."

*  Evan has been a little clingy when I drop him off for his 3 hours of preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays......but, has not cried.  Which in turn, means mommy has not cried.  I did almost have to leave my right leg in the classroom on Tuesday, but, he let go of it fairly quickly yesterday.   His teacher told me that his reputation preceded him.  Hmmmmmmm...............

*  I have a new baby cousin on the way!!!! I'm thrilled for our family in Oklahoma City!

*  Evan is completely enjoying the "tooter" he received for his birthday.  He wants to ride it 24/7.  He's a little speed demon!!

*  Noah got a little, little motorcycle.  A Honda 50.  He is clearly not ready for it, but, probably fairly soon.  I am far from thrilled.  He is on Cloud 9! 

* my back is finally MUCH better. Still not 100%, but this has been the best week so far. No medications.

*  my little break is over and the photography is about to kick back into full swing.  I am praying that I can stay much more balanced than I did in the spring/summer.   I am hoping I have learned about scheduling and not overbooking from my mistakes!!!  It's very difficult for me to say no......especially for family portraits.......but, I am having to.  Plus, there are great photographers in the area to refer to......so, that helps! 

*  pray for Scott.  They doubled one of his medications last week.  He is a total zombie and sleeping so much, it breaks my heart.   Evan told me this morning that he doesn't want to be a PSP driver any more (UPS - remember his little costume!) because he doesn't want headaches like Daddy. :(  Instead, for today, he wants to be a bug catcher. 

Busy, busy weekend!!! I will check back in as soon as I can!

{sharing}

From my devotional this morning and something that I have been in much prayer about - so, it came a perfect time....

(Crosswalk)

May 15, 2008

Escaping the Stress Trap

Know When to be Still

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. (NLT)

Friend to Friend

Every minute of every day is either wasted or invested. Since the Bible contains over 400 verses about time, we can safely assume that time management is important to God. In fact, it is a spiritual discipline. We not only need to view time as an eternal investment, but as an immediate one as well. One of the most valuable investments we can make is to spend time in solitude. 

I once read an African proverb, "Lord Jesus, make my heart sit down". Solitude is deliberately and diligently setting aside time to "sit down" at the feet of Jesus. It is in those still, quiet moments of solitude at his feet that we can more clearly hear God speak and gain strength and wisdom for the journey ahead. In order to practice solitude, we must learn how to budget time.

It's been said that women must balance their time more carefully than men because women don't have wives. The fact is we are all responsible for how we spend the time God has given us. Time is a precious gift! Every morning we are credited with 86,400 seconds. No balance is carried into the next day and every night erases what we fail to use. If we use it in the wrong way, that time is lost forever and cannot be reclaimed. Un-budgeted time gravitates to our weaknesses, is stolen by others or wasted on the unimportant. We must budget time, just as Jesus did. 

Luke 2:52 "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (NIV).

At the age of 12, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with his parents for the annual Passover Celebration. When his parents began the long trip home, they did not miss their son at first and when they did, assumed he was traveling with friends. Jesus was found in the temple, teaching. My first reaction would probably have been pride in the fact that religious scholars and teachers were actually listening to my young son. I would most likely have encouraged Jesus to continue, basking in the looming recognition and acclaim. Instead, Jesus returned home where, for 18 to 20 years, he simply grew. Luke 2:52 tells us that Jesus grew mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. In Luke 3 , Jesus begins his ministry, the most powerful ministry ever known. In other words, Jesus Christ budgeted his time wisely, resulting in a balanced life of fulfilled purpose. We can live the same kind of life if our priorities are right.

Set priorities: Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (NLT). We either set our life priorities or allow circumstances and other people to set them. 

Schedule priorities: There is a right time and a right way to carry out right priorities. Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 warns, "For a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight" ( NASB ). We must schedule time for solitude. We must set aside portions of each day to spend with God. 

Stick to priorities: The apostle Paul teaches us to "make the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:16 NIV). Every challenge will either wreck our priorities or affirm them. Right priorities stand firm in the face of change.

One day, we will all stand before the Father and give an account of how we invested our time. Today, examine your time management habits in light of eternity. Initiate schedule changes that honor God. Make a new commitment to invest your time wisely. 

Let's Pray 

Father, I recognize my need for time alone with you. I lay down my schedule, my agenda and anything else in my life that would keep me from that time. Please forgive me for the way I often squander away the minutes, hours and days of my life. Give me the power to invest time wisely and the wisdom to live a balanced life. Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

• Choose to practice solitude - today.
• Select a place to spend time in solitude -- today.
• Lay down your agenda. 
• Focus on Him and listen for His voice.
• Memorize Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. (NIV)
• Ask yourself the following questions and use the answers to shape a plan for regular solitude:

Why am I afraid of silence?

What is the greatest obstacle to solitude in my life?

What steps do I have to take in order to remove those obstacles?

What do I hope to gain from time spent in solitude?

More from the Girlfriends

Time management is a familiar battle, isn't it? Everyone I know seems to have more to do in a shorter amount of time. I wonder how much of it all really matters to God. Much of God is simply unknowable on the run. To know Him takes time with Him. I promise you that once this habit is established in your life, you will never be the same and you will long to spend time in His presence. For help in dealing with the stress in your life, check out my book, "Escaping the Stress Trap", a new look at Psalm 23. Want to connect with over 8,000 women from across the world? Don't miss my weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Blessings

{the longest day EVER}

Well, in what we anticipated to be a long day - turned out to be even longer.  Late last night, Noah became sick with a high fever and just the "miserables" in general.   So, I stayed behind with Noah to take care of him while Scott's dad took him to UAMS to get the MRI results and treatment plan.  Talk about torn.  However, let me jump ahead just a bit and let you know that I just got the call a bit ago that the tumor has not grown and there was no discussion of surgery this time.  THANK.YOU.GOD!

Evan had his stitches removed on Saturday morning.  My brother Shawn and Scott took him as I had a day full of mini-sessions.  I was torn incrediably on that one - but, he handled it like a trooper and Scott is determined he would have likely done much better with the stitches if I had not been there.  Hmmmmmm..............not sure about that?

Mother's Day was a special, special day as always.  I did wake not feeling too great as did Noah - but, he did manage to make me pancakes (albeit microwavable) served with tootsie rolls.  What a combination.  The tootsie rolls were Evan's addition as he wanted to give me fruit roll ups - but, we had none.  Tootsie Rolls sounded close.  I love pancakes, but as bad as I felt, they were not very enticing with the exception of why they were made.  I got most of them down.   Then, Evan returned with a white tulip from a bouquet I had bought myself.  It's the thought that counts.    But, overall, I great Mother's Day - a huge reminder every year of how immensely blessed I am.   Who would have thought that infertility would be one of the biggest blessings of my life?  And, it truly, truly was.  God's hand is amazing.   

I found this on another blog and it touched me so much.....just wanted to share, especially to those of you who are still on the journey.....

He meant for my husband & I to grow closer, become stronger, & love deeper. He meant for us to find the fortitude within ourselves to get up everytime infertility knocks us down. He meant for our medical community to discover medicines, invent medical equipment, & create procedures & protocols to eventually find a cure for infertility.

God never meant for me not to have children. That is not my destiny...it's just a fork in the road I am on. I have been placed on the road less traveled, & like it or not, I am a better person for it! Clearly, God meant for me to develop more compassion, deeper courage, and a greater inner strength on this journey & I haven't let him down.

Truth be known, I think God has singled me out for a special treatment. I think God meant for me to build a thirst for a child so strong & so deep that when that baby is finally placed in my arms, it will be the longest, coolest, most refreshing feeling I have ever known.

The above really spoke to me and was such a reminder - however, the difference in the above and my journey was that I know I must have often let God down.  But, I did cling to him tighter than I ever have.  He never let me go through the uncertainty, disappointment, losses and pain.  He continued to supply me with joy and hope.  

I live the above each time I hold either of my boys, look into their eyes, bandage a skinned knee, hold a fevered hand.  We took different, less traveled roads to get to each of them, but, would take each step a thousand times over to reach them. all over again. I know that neither will likely ever comprehend how intensely I love them; how with Gods hand, they have made me feel utter joy.  I treasure each moment that led me to them and each moment we will travel together.  I love you boys!!!  You make every day a happy Mother's Day for me.    I am forever grateful. 

____________________________________________

{THE little league}

these are the little brothers and sisters to the players on Noah's ball team.  It's unbelievable that they were one when we started playing together.  This is a snapshot of them on Monday night - I took about 5-6 of them to the concession stand for ice cream.  They were like little ducks and settled down quiet nicely to enjoy their treat.  Just what we needed.......more sugar. :)

Evan is at the far left.  Eating of course!

We lost our game.  Another change in the fact we were undefeated last year and our kiddos did not keep up with the score.  Well, Noah was not too happy we lost with a score of 16 to 4.  I realized that for the first time ever - he made mention that there was even a score period.  Changes are coming!

HE.HIT.THE.BALL on his first swing!!  We are so proud of him and so relieved that maybe his little slump (that lasted an entire season +) is over.  At least I can breath just a bit when I am there and he is up to bat!   

{prayer}

. Seriously, WHY do I push aside my quiet time, devotionals, etc - as I am always AMAZED at how God speaks to us if we will just give him a moment.  Just a moment!   I frustrate myself so much.

Scott was ready and enroute to church with us yesterday when he got sick and I had to turn the car around and take him home.  The boys and I went on - but with a definite piece of us missing.  So, sometimes I can handle those little things pretty well, other times - I can get overcome with emotion.  So, I fought the tears and frustration on the way to church. 

THEN, our pastor gave me and I am certain many others a lasting sermon on prayer.  He used the parable of the woman who petitioned the judge over and over and over - he got so tired of her requests - he granted them.   Well, I agree with our pastor - I do not believe for a second that we wear God out.  I think He just likes to hear us take the time to converse with him.  I really think that gives Him joy.   The entire sermon was completely backed-up and seconded by our Sunday School lesson.  I was glad I had turned that car around and gone on - even though it was hard to leave Scott behind, again.   So, I shared bits and pieces of it with him even this morning. 

Again, here we go........at just how LOUDLY God speaks to us if we will slow down to listen.  Many of you know that I LOVE, LOVE Elisabeth Elliott.  Her story is inspiring.  She is pretty much blunt and to the point.  Love that.   Love her.   

I have her devotional site saved to my favorites.  She just jumped out at me and even though I was up to my eyeballs in researching lab values.....I took two minutes and if I had not been so excited - I would have definitely wept.  Again.   Let me just share it with you.......

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: Does Prayer Work?

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

The answer to that depends on one's definition of work. It is necessary to know what a thing is for in order to judge whether it works. It would be senseless, for example, to say that if a screwdriver fails to drive nails into a board it doesn't "work." A screwdriver works very well for driving screws. Often we expect to arrange things according to our whims by praying about them, and when the arrangement fails to materialize we conclude that prayer doesn't work. God wants our willing cooperation in the bringing in of his kingdom. If "Thy kingdom come" is an honest prayer, we will seek to ask for whatever contributes to that end. What, after all is said and done, do you want above all? Is it "Thy will be done"? If so, leave it to Him.

Is it "My will be done"? Don't waste your time and God's by praying. Have it your way.

Daily devotions courtesy of Devotions.org, a ministry of Back to the Bible   

Was it just me?  Or did someone else need that too?  Thank you God for speaking so clearly.   

Addendum:  it keeps posting this twice?  Cannot get it to clear?

{prayer request}

I was checking in with the blogs I read this morning and ran across an urgent prayer request from one on my friends.   Her step-mom Jan and family were visiting Orlando and she had stepped off the bus and collapsed.  She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor in the frontal lobe.  At this point, she does not sound to be very stable - they are attempting to determine if it is malignant or not or even operable. Such a devastating situation.

This family has had more than there share of tragedy in the very recent years and I am sitting here at a total loss of how they must be feeling.  Please, please keep this family in your prayers. 

{who is behind this joke?}

It has been a day.  A very long day.  I have been waiting for someone to say "April Fool".  Waiting here!

And, why am I writing this - I am not quite certain,  because it will only lend to my list of failures as a mother.  Here's todays recap, in no particular order:

*  Evan has a surface cavity.  My baby as a cavity!  I won't even go there. 

*  Evan tried to talk me into buying 57 stuffed animals, betause they needed a home.  He could not bear to leave them in the store.  The owner had to convince him that she takes very good care of them.  My arms were jello from that struggle.  And, before you proceed - remember this aspect of the list because there is a link to this point a little later. Oh, yeah, we left with a monkey and a frog.  Like we needed them?

*  Someone got very, very sick in the car.  That's always fun.  Twice.

*  Evan attempted his first act of theft today in the store OF.A.FRIEND!   You guessed it - a little alligator.  Trying to free all of these animals.  And, having no experience with this (thankfully) until that moment, it was actually quite amazing.  I didn't see anything.  But, when I turned to see him walking toward me with no indication whatsoever that something was stuffed in his pocket......I saw the letters G-U-I-L-T written all over that face.   And, I did not quietly, discreetly investigate - I called him on it right then and there in front of  Sheryl.  Let's just say we had a very teachable moment and he felt so ashamed by the end of it, he could barely look Ms. Sheryl in the eye when he issued his apologies. 

*  My transmission is going out of the suburban.  Let's say big bucks slowly and all together.

* And, last but not least.  I have lost the dog I was sitting.  LOST.THE.DOG.I.WAS.SITTING Do you hear that panic in my voice.  And, I failed to mention the tooth he lost on my driveway yesterday.   Which takes me back to the point above - just why does Evan think a stuffed animal will survive in this household?  I am on the verge of a breakdown.

And, I can voice no "April Fools", but would love to hear it uttered from someone else on all of the above.  I'm not hearing anything, you need to speak up!!