Don't Stop

i will post about my trip to cedar point soon.  time is short today.

iva, the sweet girl i had the priveledge to coach to the finish line yesterday, told me this quote while we were running.  oh, even at mile 18 of the run, i still loved hearing it:)

"you don't stop running because you grow old.  you grow old because you stop running."

that might be one of the best quotes i've ever heard!

Our Mornings

you all should be grateful i'm not showing you pic's of our mornings...unless you like scary things.

wow.  they are tough. 

i play music in the kitchen to wake them up around 6:30.  they get ready while i get breakfast and vitimins on the table and lunches out and in backpacks. 

religiously, brooke is the first one downstairs.  she's NOT a morning person.  that's all i should say about that at the moment. 

faith is the easiest.  she comes down next.  she NEVER complains about the clothes i picked out for her the night before.  she is silent, mostly, and loves to eat her pancakes.  especially when i pour lots of powered sugar on them. 

bryan comes down last, but always quiet.  he's not a talker in the mornings.  he gets downstairs with just enough time to eat 4 pancakes in 1.2 seconds, grab his backpack and fly out the door to meet us in the car...without brushing his teeth.  everyday.

he runs back into the house to brush them.  brooke yells because she doesn't want to be late.  and eventually we get to the bus stop.  on time.  only one day this week was it pulling away as i was flying in.  :)  i still count it as a success.  

but for now, they are all gone for the next 9 hours!

hooray! 

 

Psalm 19:14

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

-Psalm 19:14

First Day of School

if a picture is worth a thousand words...i will try to give you a thousand words instead- my camera was not charged last night.

the scene went like this in the morning:

i woke up.  fixed my coffee.  read briefly.

at 6:30 i blasted the worship music in the kitchen to wake them up.  praise God for uniforms.  makes getting ready in the mornings a dream!

brooke looked beautiful as always, but even more so, this morning.  last night she let me wash, dry, AND flat-iron her hair!  she looks more and more grown up each day.  and bryan, well, it was the first time he has tucked his shirt in and worn a belt in 3 months.  little faithie?  i SO wish i had a picture.  pre-schoolers don't wear uniforms.  she wore a pink shirt and leggings and her brown cowgirl boots.  

yes, i cryed when charlie brought them to the bus stop.  but you know, running in the rain is great.  raindrops and tears look the same:)

and the wrap up at the end of the day? 

...in a nutshell,

-bryan:  likes 4th grade "way better than 3rd grade", is excited because they will be studying birds in science, and kept asking me how psalm 19:14 went.  LOVE the fact mrs. phares is making them memorize that verse!

-brooke: loved playing with brooke w., loves mrs. summerall, and proceeded to give me a 20 minute dissertation on every aspect of heaven you can think of.  at least i know she is paying attention in class.

-faith: she took a nice nap, played with a friend, and wonders why there are boys in her class.

i am so blessed

 

Renew My Purpose

sometimes i wonder if what i do and the words i say ever sink into my little ones heads...or even make it to their ears.  

it has always been my heart's desire for my children to know God and to love Him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

this has to be my purpose.  for each one of them.  every choice, every decision, reflects that purpose.  

that is the reason we choose to send our children to fresta valley christian school.  school starts tomorrow.   and tomorrow, while the kiddos are in school, i will be cooking dinner for a sweet friend of ours who is battling breast cancer. 

brooke and i were talking about her in the car and the dinner i will be making for her, and the fun little "back-to-school" gifts we are going to give her kids, and how brooke picked her out a sweet card that says "jesus saves", a devotional book for her to read...

and brooke says to me, "mom, instead of going to school, why don't i just take care of people who are sick and have diseases?"  oh. my. heart.  in that moment, she GOT IT!  

and at the same time, if my kids look to me, all they see is "conditional", like anger that flares up easily, patience that runs out fast, a love that fails them, unjustified frustrations, a body that gets tired, a mind that is forgetful...

i have to point them to Him.

i will always fail them.  no matter how hard i try.

but Jesus never will.  His love never fails.  His grace has no limits.  His mercies are new each morning.  He never grows weak or weary.  He is SO good.

and He "maketh our cup runneth over" if we will only ask Him to.  

so i'm asking, Lord, renew my purpose.   

     

My Biggest Need Right Now...Wisdom

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
 
Heavenly Father, many times I take your grace for granted—I assume it. It’s always going to be there, like sunrise, taxes and holiday traffic. But this morning I don’t assume or presume upon your grace, I need your grace—fresh grace. Abounding grace would be great, but I’ll settle for sufficient grace.

Grant me the grace I need to settle down and be still. I’m restless—physically, because of a lack of good sleep and emotionally, because of no lack of upheaval around me. Though I’d love for storm cells to move on, as long as you give me peace in the midst of the squalls, I’ll be fine. Jesus, you are my eternal peace, be my present peace.

Grant me the grace I need for making good decisions. I’m tired, and when I get this way most of my decisions get directed towards giving me quick relief. But I’m sure my biggest need right now isn’t relief, it’s wisdom. Jesus you are my wisdom from God, be my wisdom in choices that I have to make soon.

Grant me the grace I need to be comfortable with not being in control. Now that may very well require “abounding grace.” I’m wary, and when I get this way I have a hard time trusting others. I start micro-managing my world. Jesus, you are my sovereign King, be my stability in my uncertainty.

Grant me the grace I need to love people I don’t presently like. I’m feeling fresh pain from old hurts, and when I get this way I tend to get quiet on the outside but loud on the inside. Jesus, you are my compassionate, merciful Savior, love through me to your glory.

Grant me the grace I need to wait upon you. I’m feeling hurried, and when that happens I tend to do things I regret later. Jesus, you are my Lord, I relinquish my timetable and agenda. Pace me, and make me a patient and present woman. So very Amen I pray, in your most loving name.

Scotty Smith

wow, it's like he read my heart.