Thankful for My Baby

Oh, my heart is so heavy this morning.

My sweet baby girl had her first passing-out incident.

I kind of expected this day would come, as her father has had the same thing happen several times over the years. Yet it no more made me prepared. So awful. Nothing like feeling helpless to the pain your baby is in. Or them just laying there, limp and cold and lifeless.
Just for trying to help Mom carry her bags down the stairs, those blasted things! Daddy had a very similar, scary incident with the same stairs and a stubbed toe. Pain. Fetal position. Flat as a board. This is awful. I don't know what these people are thinking. It SCARES me so bad.      

I wasn't sure whether to lay her flat, sit her up. Hold her or not touch her. But I held her, got her off the stairs and pleaded the blood of Jesus over her. Until she finally came through.

She's fine. At school now for the last day before Fall Break, with three test to take. Of course, this momma's still worrying. But I am so thankful. Thankful she's ok. Thankful for all her good days of health. Because some mom's deal with so much more than I'll ever endure, all the time. I feel guilty for complaining.

I hugged her a little lighter, rubbed her small arm, patted her messy hair. Felt guilty, for all the mornings I had to be at work for an 8:30am meeting. But Jesus knows. He is with her and He's with me. And it's only Him that will get us through life's hiccups.   

 

                                                   

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

 

The Gift of Servitude

The power of servitude is severely underestimated in our day. It seems as our world rocks on, more and more people are totally and wholly consumed with self. The thought of others exists only for personal benefit. People live for their own advancement and success, mostly.

Thankfully there are some trickles of hope, light, people doing what they can to serve those around them, helping those in need, the less fortunate.

 
But one thing is for certain: whether in an assigned position like that of ministry or living your life for those around you, the reward of serving always outweighs the energy expended. Ask anyone that’s ever wiped the nose of a snotty, 2 year-old in the church nursery or volunteered at the local soup kitchen. The teachers that go beyond the call of just teaching and lead students to be better citizens of society, youth workers that expend themselves to the battered and bruised teens that most of us wouldn’t waste the time of day on. Nurses that do more than just their “job”, but truly care. Mothers that sacrifice endlessly serving their young children day in and day out.
 
Each and every person can find a place to serve, no one is exempt.

It is therein, in this place that one truly finds it is more blessed to give than to receive.

We call evaluate our lives. Are we living totally for self each day, fulfilling solely our dreams and goals? Life is most fulfilling when we pour ourselves into others, when we use our time and talents for those around us.  

 

Are we being all you can for our family, our spouse and our children? In our job are you doing the minimal to get by or do we go above and beyond? Scraping in through life is so unsatisfying.

Husbands and wife can learn so much from living this way. Wait, what?!?! It’s not about what's in it for me?? It’s not about what makes me happy? . . . Yeah, ouch. . . serve your spouse . . . but that’s for another blog posting!

Serve people. Serve those around you, serve those you don't know. Live your life for others. Do what you can for others, always. Life will take on so much more meaning for you. In a quest to serve others, one can truly find himself/herself and that long-sought after happiness.

This thought came to me so strongly this past weekend when we reunited with some of the teens that had attended the youth group in which we served in Maine. Those teens are now the leaders, carting their youth group halfway across the country in a church bus to attend the national conference. It was so awesome to see these kiddos, well, young adults now, serving and doing an amazing job!

Chances are this has nothing to do with anything we did or our "wonderful" serving abilities. But the joy it brings seeing where they are today and how they are fulfilling the same role we served is insurmountable. Watching them lead and weary the same way we did in years past is priceless.

When we give ourselves to servitude we are not only blessing those in the here and now, but generations down the road will feel the effects of the sacrifice. Giving of ourselves is truly the ultimate gift, not only are the benefits continuous but we too receive back an amazing, unmatchable blessing!

 I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 KJV

Happy Easter!

 

He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:6

Good-bye, Gramma.

Today’s the day, we said our “final” good-bye to Gramma. It was a very short, just family, not a big deal affair, just what she wanted, at the location she chose. The same beach her husband was scattered at.

The sun shone bright as we walked as a family, all 8 of us, to find a quite spot on Coast Guard beach. When we spotted a seal, we decided that was a “sign”, so we decided that would be the location. Dave did well, we both hung in there, and Charity ran frolicking all over the beach . . . just what Gramma would have wanted.

Such a final process. Such a hard day. Being with family was nice. But Saturday we fly back to Nashville and we’re just dreading that empty house. Gramma’s always there when we get back from our trips away.

But, as we were headed back to Westfield from the Cape we passed a billboard in this very left-winged, blue non-Bible Belt state:

1 Corinthians 10:13

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Thank you, God!

Charity’s Baptism!

We’ll never forget this day, August 15, 2010, a truly amazing day!

Today Charity decided she wanted to get baptized! We are so happy and proud of her!

Daddy was bringing people home from service when she made her decision, after seeing her friend, Emma, get baptized. So we had a little wait for him to return to the church. Charity could not stand still! She was so excited!! You can see the joy all over her! I know she was ready, because the other times we have mentioned this she had such fear and uncertainty. Today she was truly ready and had the confidence that only Jesus could have given her. I am so glad she heeded to the tug at her little heart and do this important step.

 

I am very thankful for my friend, Allison, who was able to capture some pictures for us. Another blessing! Thank you, Allison!! *Send me the invoice!! :) No amount is too large for these pictures! I’m blessed every time I look at them and I know that will continue as long as my eyes can see them.

 

Prayer from Pastor Becton and Mommy & Daddy praying too!

  

All clean!

Baptized Buddies!
So thankful Emma set the example for Charity today!

Church Friends: Charity, Sophie and Emma

 

What a great way to start 2nd grade!

 Nothing brings me greater happiness than to hear that my children are obeying the truth.

3 John 1:4 (CEV)

I Love My Neighborhood

So very different from the world I grew up in. But I love the diversity found in our neighborhood and am so glad Charity is able to grow up here in this "melting pot". I hope someday she will appreciate it, as I do.

On our family walk tonight we stopped and chatted with our Muslim/Pakistani neighbor about the craziness of radical Muslims and how our current weather is comparable to their winter in the Middle East. He's like the weather here.

We talked with our Indian, newly-parents, neighbors about how Northern and Southern Indian food differs and where to find the best of each our city.

Then we chatted for the longest time with our Thai (husband)/Vietnamese (wife) friends and met their new dog, "Wasabi" and all the current happenings in their lives, while reminding them they need to come back and visit us at Asian Church.

I love it! And I know God does too or He wouldn't have said:

Mark 12:29-31 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Even if loving them means just taking stopping for a little chat and learning more about them, their life and their culture. Love they neighbor!

Success!

Women & the Word today . . . they matched! The mugs matched and I was so worried. All was fine! And even the ladies and the baby match!

A beautiful day, scrumptious food, and awesome time being encouraged by the Word and fellowship of Sisters in the Lord!!

Happy Saturday All!

Faith Like a Child

I'm not sure why I try. And with a name like mine, I have no excuse. But for some unknown reason, I gave in and did something I don't usually do. I agreed to bring a meal to a brand new mommy and daddy. Poor souls.

Started today with a six hour worked day. Rushed from there to meet Charity at her doctor's for her yearly check-up and then home to whip up their meal up. I had already done some preparation last night so I didn't figure it wouldn't be a big deal. Threw my spaghetti pie together. Put the salad and bread in a bag and headed to bring them their dinner.

All went well, dropped it off. They were thankful. I met their little guy - it was all good.

Until I got home. And discovered that layer #2 that goes between the noodles and sauce in my spaghetti pie was still sitting in the fridge! Uuuugggg! :( I was so upset. If you're not familiar with spaghetti pie, if would be like leaving the ricotta out of lasagna. Oh my!! Probably not the worst thing, I could have done, but it's pretty bad. And in my eyes - just horrible!!

Poor folks. I was feeling so awful. Moaning and complaining at what an awful cook I am. When Charity injected, "Mom, it's fine. God can reach in the fridge and put it in for you." I must have had a look of disbelief on my face because she continued, "He's God. He can do anything."

I love her! It took me awhile, but eventually I took on her faithful spirit and believed that only God could fix the mistake I'd made or at least make it taste edible!

He's God! He can do anything!!

Genesis 18:14 ~ Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

Webcast Church

Things have been VERY hectic lately and this is an extremely busy week coming up. Sometime this working mom just can't balance it all . . . believe it or not! :)

Monday is Gramma's birthday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we'll be attending NAYC. And then Saturday we leave first thing in morning on our mini-vacation to Louisville. So Charity and I stayed home tonight to get caught up on a whole bunch of stuff. Charity decided she wanted to "watch" church. I love that First Church has this option. While she watched, I kept on working. It was so nice to hear the service coming from the other room. And even more encouraging that Charity was enjoying taking it in too! What can you say about a kid that will sit and watch church?? She's the best!!

Morning Mercies

I do it every morning. After shutting off my alarm and getting out of bed, I head immediately downstairs. I reach in the same cabinet every morning and grab the exact same travel mug. I have to have my coffee and like to enjoy it the greater part of the morning as I head to work. But I've only got one travel mug with a lid. Every night my sweet husband makes sure he washes my one mug so it's ready to go in the morning.

Made me think about God's mercy. Fresh and new and clean every morning. Ready for us upon waking up to each new day. It's amazing. I can't fathom that there's enough for everyone after my daily allowance, but that's how great my God is!

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV)
22. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

23. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

24. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!”

Flying By

Worked sooo much last week, well over 50 hours. Hoping this week isn't as intense. Love the paycheck, but it doesn't leave much free time.

Today I started my new schedule: 7:30am-4pm. I'm really looking forward to getting out earlier. Monday's are usually pretty crazy, today wasn't too bad, but before I even looked at the clock I had already worked 10 hours! Wow! I thought it was going to be a 12 hours day, but ending up only being 11 1/2 hours. Wish that first day that I could barely make it through 7 hours went by that fast! Guess things do get better with time!!

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

He Just Knows

Thank you, Jesus! I am just thanking Him for working all things out.

Today at work things just "blew" up, way busy, way lots of work. Needless to say I didn't get to take my lunch and left a few hours late, 8:30pm! Late! I didn't mind the overtime at all. And though I was sad that I missed some of the special Youth Praise Gathering at church this evening, I could not stop thanking God that this isn't how last Friday ended when I had to rush to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to be with my baby and her broken arm. Things wrapped up so easily last Friday and I was on my way. I could have left if I really had to tonight, but it just worked out. And He just knows!! Praise God!!

Living Vs. Occupying

Today I came to the realization that some days I live and some days I just occupy until He comes. I guess some people call these good days and bad days.

live: /lɪv/ [liv] lived/lɪvd/ [livd] liv⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to have life, as an organism; be alive; be capable of vital functions: all things that live.

When I live, I am alive. I am happy and full of life.

oc⋅cu⋅py: /ˈɒkyəˌpaɪ/ [ok-yuh-pahy] -pied, -py⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to take or fill up (space, time, etc.).

When I occupy, I take up space on this planet. Filling my days with useless tasks, just going through the motions. No meaning or purpose other than to past time.

Here's what God's word says about living and occupy:

Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Luke 19:13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

And until that day that's what I'll be doing! But praying tomorrow I'll have a "live" day!! :)

For You, Jesus

Today our Asian pastor, Pastor Nhotshiri, taught about giving. He encouraged everyone to participate, even the youngest child. Though it seemed Charity was hardly paying attention, she wanted to be included. I love how she wrote out the envelope herself. Touched my heart!

2008 Best Places To Work in Maine

(Small Category)

1 Jøtul North America
2 Manpower
3 MEMIC
4 Patrons Oxford Insurance Company
5 Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
6 Edward Jones
7 Pierce Atwood LLP
8 Cintas Corporation
9 Machias Savings Bank
10 SMRT
11 MOUNTAIN, LTD.
12 Tom's of Maine
13 Berry Talbot Royer
14 Oxford Networks
15 Pioneer Telephone
16 GreenPages Technology Solutions
17 PowerPay, LLC
18 Baker Newman Noyes

Thought this was a neat little report, since the 9th place company is a where I started my banking career. I am none too surprised since it was my favorite job I've ever had. I'd still be there today if we hadn't moved from Machias 9 years ago. Oh well, God had different plans. Can hardly wait for the next step He has for me!

Unending Love, Amazing Grace

I love this Chris Tomlin song and was reminded of it this morning when we sang it in our worship service! I'm so thankful for unending love and amazing grace! I've never watched to video before, but this is a cool! Chris Tomlin does his typical remarkable job and filmed in an appropriate setting for this time of year, a beautiful Fall landscape. Enjoy!

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
by Chris Tomlin

Amazing grace How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.

My chains are gone, I've been set free.
My God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy rains.
Unending love, Amazing grace!

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures,
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures,

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine,
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine, Will be forever mine, You are forever mine!

Sunday School sure is fun . . .

I'm thinking I'll need to be more specific with my prayers! I've now got myself a job . . . and a big one at that. The only thing is the paycheck's not too good, but the long-term investment is innumerable. It's going to keep me busy. Every other Sunday morning . . . organizing, crafting, singing, coloring, and all those other things you do with 3 year-olds to teach them about Jesus for an hour and a half. Yes, I'm going to be teaching Sunday School! Scary, I know! Me, influencing young lives. Yikes! I have taught in the past, like 8 years ago. Got slightly burnt out. Think I can do this now . . . or I just don't know how to say no. Pray my creative, fun gears kick in and for those poor little 3 year-olds!

Good Night Prayer

Tonight before bed Charity said the prayer. I know it won't be long now . . . she whispered "and let Mommy get a job."

My heart melted. I know God heard that sweet, innocent prayer! I couldn't hug and kiss her enough! I know she's heard Mommy prayer that same pray for nearly three months now. But, oh the faith of a child!

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 18:16

He Just Knows

I am so glad God knows our stupidest little desires! He is such a good God to provide our needs, as well as the things that maybe aren't so important.

When Bro. Jerry and Sis. T were here for Asian Conference, they forgot to pack Bro. Jerry's dress pants. The next day, Sis. T ran out and picked Bro. Jerry a few pairs up at Goodwill. Only 1 of the 3 pairs she chose worked for him. When they left Sunday night, she told me I could exchange the two remaining pairs for whatever. :)

Well, I figured today rather than sit around another day and mope about not having a job, I would go on a $13.00 shopping spree at Goodwill! Unemployed people aren't hard to please! :p

For some reason, they had an unusual amount of new handbags? I began scoping them out, when I came across this one. I have been looking for a patent blue bag for some time now . . . and this one at Goodwill was new with the tag still attached for just $6.99!! It's not any great brand or anything. But oooohhhh, it just made me so happy! Just what I had been looking for! Yippee!!

I also found a Copper Key dress for Charity for $2.49 and a skirt and matching t-shirt for me. I did have to shell out an additional $4.00 on top of the exchange. But for 4 things and the bag I've been looking for, I couldn't have been more excited!

As I headed off for my next errand, I couldn't help but think God blessed my shopping spree! He just knows what I need to lift my spirits. And if it takes a cute little bag, He'll put it my path! So I must trust Him and know that if He can do this simple thing, that finding me the perfect job won't be an issue either. Thank you, Jesus!

Back-To-School Bash = Answer to Prayer

After our journey home from Lillie Belle's, it was a 10 minute rest on the couch, and then we were off for our next engagement: Nashville Christian's Back-to-School Bash.

This fun-filled family event was an awesome way for us to get to know more families at Charity's school and also we got to hang out our dear friends, Jerry and Allison (who I might add, have helped me so much with all my silly questions during this whole entire process. I pretty much owe Allison my life for all my pestering over the past week or so! Love you, Allison!! :)

We had a scrumptious dinner, free, since this is our first year! That made it even yummier!!There was a football scrimmage, bouncy house, face painting, snow cones, etc. . . for the kiddos.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect and as we walked toward the car I couldn't feel more certain we've done the right thing in sending Charity to school there. Getting in the car, Dave said to me, "We need to pray God provides for Charity to go next year." I nearly leaped for joy!!! If you've read previously you know I've been waiting for Dave to be on the same page with me about this! Yay!! Only 1/2 day and a Back-to-School Bash and we're there! Thank you, God!! Now . . . I just need a job to make it totally possible!! God will do it!!

Eagles Rock!!