God is our Comfort...

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:2-4,6-9
“The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’” Isaiah 25:8,9
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:4,5
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Do not be afraid… for I am with you… declares the Lord.“ Jeremiah 1:5,8
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.“ Proverbs 3:5,6
“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.“ Isaiah 58:11

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 4:4-7

“The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?“ Psalm 27:1
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.“ Isaiah 12:2
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“ Isaiah 41:10
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.“ Isaiah 43:5
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 56:3,4
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid, you will both lie down and sleep… For the Lord will be your confidence.“ Proverbs 3:24, 26
“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’” Lamentations 3:57
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.“ Philippians 4:13
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Colossians 1:11

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.“ Psalm 27:14
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36
“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.“ Psalm 4:1
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD.“ 1 Samuel 1:27,28

Its been awhile....

It's been some time since I last posted and I must apologize!  Things have been crazy 'round this house lately.  SuperDaddy has been working crazy hours for the last month or so.  I recently opened an 'in-home" daycare and closed it just as fast due to our home's stress level.  With the mom and dad working it got a little crazy.  This week was the last week for the daycare, so we are praying the stress level comes down a little bit.  Honestly, it got really bad...bad enough to see the Pastor!  So like any couple who needs counseling...we thought he would tell us something that would change us like instantly  fix all of our problems just like that, or from my perspective tell SuperDaddy to stop working so much  tell us everything we already knew.  We as a couple had fallen away from keeping Christ at the center of our home and marriage.  We no longer were spending time together in the Word, praying together, and seeking God in our life.  We knew this, but it took the pastor to tell us, someone outside looking in. to tell us the bold statement-Get back into the Word and make Christ the center of our home again.  So that is exactly what we have been doing ever since.  For almost 2 weeks now, only missing one day because of a long day trip...we have been faithfully spending every evening praying and reading together.  It truly has changed so much in our home and marriage.  God is restoring hopefulness that I had lost because of SuperDaddy being so busy at work.  Joy is evident in our home in midst of sad times.
We always knew when we wanted to start trying for the next baby.  We wanted Little Peanut and the next baby 15-18 months apart (that gave us three months to try, right?) With Little peanut we were pregnant on the second try.  No here, nope. We have been trying for six month now and sadly we are still not pregnant. It is so easy to get upset with God and say "why me"  "why can't you just give us a baby?"  "what did I do to deserve this?"  When it isn't about my deserving it at all...in fact...I deserve death in hell for eternity.  God wants me to remember that He is all I need and I must find my comfort and Joy in Him!  Phillipians 4 is a good reminder of contentment...(hmmm...where have I heard that before) God has placed Jeremiah 29:11  on my heart tonight about my future and trusting His plans over my own.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"  It hurts not having a baby growing inside of me that SuperDaddy and I have dreamt of having for half a year now.  But we must be patient...let go of the hope of having a baby 18 months younger than little peanut and await for God's timing.  God is perfect and his plans are perfect!!!


Little Peanut is almost one year old now.  We will be having a little party for her as our little princess!!  She is a precious gem to us and we thank God for her daily!  We also pray that she would come to know Him at the earliest possible age!  Here is a picture of her...she is growing fast...

And one last thing...SuperDaddy has agreed to let me paint the trim and cupboards in our kitchen.  They were re-done before we bought the house with cheap ugly laminate cupboards. Some may think I'm crazy to paint them.  But I want them to match my style not theirs or yours.  :)


Thanks for reading and hopefully I will actually get to painting them and posting again real soon.  I still want to show you the before and after shots of our playroom that has been done for awhile now still awaiting trim in the new foyer we created.


Have a great night!!!

Christmas here...

SuperDaddy and I decided to have a tree this year and it was very fun putting it up together last night.  Last year we decided not to have a tree, but this year, we did.  It was a tough decision to make because we want to keep Christ the focus of Christmas.  But we decided that the tree doesn't have to take away from Christ either.  So we put one up and are enjoying it.  My favor part of the tree is the little navitity scene on the tree, our reminder that Christmas is about Christ not the tree or gifts under it.  But we do give gifts in remembrance of Christs ultimate gift.  He was and is the gift to the world. 

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

So here are a few photos of our Christmas trees.  One in the living room and one in the foyer.  Enjoy!

What is Christmas?

Is Christmas about the packages, gifts, family gatherings, giving, receiving?  These aren't bad, aweful, or sinful things by no means.  In fact, giving is very important, as well as spending time together as a family.  But what is the heart of Christmas?

Over 2000 years ago, Christmas began with a tiny baby born in a manger.  Who is this baby?  The one and only Savior of God's people.  The story is complete in the book of Luke...

The Christmas Story
Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ [a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wow...God is doing awesome things!

Sorry it's been some time since I last posted.  Things are going very well around here.  Little Peanut is sleeping through the night (for the most part)  and when she doesn't she puts herself back to sleep.  So needless to say, the whole family is getting much more sleep these days.  (that is when we go to bed at a decent time) 

Our remodel project is almost complete. We started it a few months ago and many things have caused the project to linger around.  When it is done, Little Peanut and the daycare children will have a nice playroom and Mommy and SuperDaddy will have a very nice foyer!   We are all excited to see the finished project real soon!  I will have to show before and after shots because it was a drastic change. 

God has put something very HUGE on SuperDaddy and I's heart and we are pursuing it.  We cannot share must more than that right now, but we are very excited and would appreciate any prayers you send up for us.  God is Big and does BIG things!  Thus, because of this we will probably be very busy these next few months as well as celebrate the coming holidays.  Praise the Lord, He is Good!

Little Peanut is growing and growing.  She is almost 9 months old already.  I cannot believe it!  More recent photos are coming soon...

I'm struggling today...

Little Peanut is sick, not sleeping well, and cried ALOT last night.  We didn't sleep well and my heart is out of place.  I need lots of prayer.  I spent some time with my precious Lord and He brought me to Philippians chapter 4 this morning.  It is the prayer of my heart right now. 

Philippians 4:4-13
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I need you Lord, please change my heart.  Alnong with philippians this song is also my prayer today...

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

You are the potter

I am the clay

Mold me and make me

This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

I need you Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for where my heart has been.  It is in my weakness that I am made strong by you.   2 Cor 12 9-10"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Thank you Jesus for showing me my heart, pulling me to my knees, and having a husband that serves you above all else!  I praise you for your unfailing love.  Thank you for saving me, thank you for your grace, mercy, and love. 

 

May I meditate on these verses today Lord Jesus, I cannot do this alone, please lead me.  I love you my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sleep is such a wonderful thing these days!

Little Peanut has been the sweetest child this past week.  Why?  What has changed?  I'll tell you what has changed.  Yes, it was last Friday, I was getting over a cold, got very little sleep through the night.  Peanut was still sleeping with us half the night, waking up 6 times a night ( on a good night) and that morning she decided to wake up at 5 AM! And not go back to sleep.  She wasn't napping well either, since about 2 months old this was our life.  Well one week ago, this Mom had enough!  I was broken, tired, and needed change.  So did this self-sleep deprived baby of mine.  So that day my mother in law took Peanut for a few hours so that I could get some much needed rest.  I didn't sleep very well but did get a lot done in an hour and a half.  I cleaned the house, did the dishes, put laundry away, and moved Peanut's things, i.e. her bed, back into her room.  The change was about to begin.  That night we decided it was time to let her "cry it out."  Something I was really not fond of nor did I ever want to have to do this.  But we all needed it, desperately.  The first night wasn't so bad, she whimpered a little but overall it went well.  Second night was rough, nearly crying for 2 hours, by the third night she didn't even wake up from 7 pm to 5 am!  Wow, really!  It's been hit or miss sleeping through the night.  2 nights all the way through, then one night waking up once.  But even if she wakes up once, I'll take it over 6!  Night sleeping hasn't just improved, so did naps during the day!  It's only been a week, so we are still trying to figure out a routine, but she has been going down in her crib awake, falling asleep on her own, and sleeping for 1-2 hours TWICE a day!  I'm loving it!!!  I'm getting so much done around the house, it's unreal!!  I'm praising Jesus for this past week and pray that this is the new norm for this household.  It is a much happier home to be in (no crabby mommy, and cranky baby)  If this stays this way, I want 5 more!!  I've always wanted a big family!

So to explain the picture...SuperDaddy and I have noticed Peanut has been much happier, more alert, and is learning so much so quickly since she has been sleeping better.  Her new tricks are " So Big", clapping her hands in excitement, sticking her tongue out playfully, playing ball, and pulling herself up!  She even eats better these days!

Thank you Little Peanut for this positive change in our home, Praising Jesus for how He works!!!