LOL!

Not that you can go on and on about my kids, but that I know how as parents that we can go on and on about our children.

My Jewels

"One day a very rich Roman woman was visiting Cornelia and showing off all her rings and necklaces and other ornaments, of which she had, she asked to see Cornelia's jewels. Cornelia called to her two boys, who were playing outside, and when they came in to their mother she put her arms around them and said: "These are my jewels." But...."
A Child's History of the World by Hillyer

Who is this Cornelia? She was the daughter of Scipio. Who is Scipio? Scipio played a huge part in defending Rome which in part made Rome 'the new champion of the world.' This all took place around 100 B.C.

First of all, isn't history great?! Secondly, do you wake up in the mornings and think that your children are the finest jewels you own?

I am so thankful for my boys. They teach me so much about life and about myself. Over time my love for them has grown stronger and deeper. (Even having them home with me this year 24/7:) When they were babies we had dedications for them. My kids are a gift from God and dedicating them is a way of mentally giving them back to God, expressing to God that I will raise them for His glory and trusting God in the plans He has for them. Recently, dealing with some life stuff, not only was I struggling to trust God in the circumstance but it dawned on me that the root of it was that I was not trusting Him with my children's lives. When I realized this, it was as if some fog had cleared.

What material jewels teach you patience? self-control? or how to love well (not just mushy love)? to completely rely on the One that is ultimately in control. We are in a place of trying to connect with others around us. My oldest is holding me accountable to this (not even knowing it.) He has a list of neighbors that he wants to have over for dinner (mostly people without children) and it is to the point that he annoys me about it. But I am thankful b/c he motivates me. It is neat to see how God is using them.

Now, the real point to the story of Cornelia's sons was that Rome had gotten to a place where the poor were getting poorer and the rich were getting richer. Her 'jewels' saw the misery of the poor and in trying to do something about it, the rich got rid of them. Thankfully we don't live in Roman times anymore!

I could go off on how I love my 'jewels' (and so could you:) but I will close for now. Be thankful today for the JOY that they bring to life! (don't focus on the exhaustion - ha, ha!)

Intimacy vs. Reverence

What is on my mind this morning is a lesson our cute little church plant discussed a couple weeks ago. Are we intimate with God? Do we give Him the reverence He deserves? Do we have a healthy balance of the two?
Intimacy is something much easier for me to grasp then reverence...these days...most days. Intimately, I talk to God about anything. I love that I have the freedom to go to Him and praise Him, thank Him, but even wrestle things out with Him. He is my Father. His love is pure, unchanging, and eternal. I go to Him confidently knowing He is always there.
There are quite a few things that just have not gone the way I would have liked in the last few months, so I have been wrestling a bit with God. A devotion I read this morning has opened my eyes to my lack of reverence...

You trust me when things go well, when you see Me working on your behalf. This type of trust flows readily within you, requiring no exertion of your will. When things go wrong, your trust flow slows down and solidifies. You are forced to choose between trusting me intentionally or rebelling: resenting My ways with you.

Friends, that word resenting really stood out to me this morning. I have truly been resenting God. It hurts me deeply that I would be so...humanly frail. (sigh) God deserves my reverence. God is holy. He is right. He is good. He is powerful and mighty. I go to him and proclaim who God is but sometimes deep down I just don't believe it. Sometimes I feel like He is screwing things up. Has anyone else felt this way?! This morning, I go to Him with pain but also joy. Pain, b/c I realize how frail I can be and I don't give Him the reverence that He deserves. Joy, b/c he is gentle and gracious to me in spite of my flaws. May I, with Gods graciousness and power, practice a healthier balance of intimacy and reverence.

Psalm 34
"I will extol the Lord at ALL times; his praise will ALWAYS be on my lips ... I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears ... The angel of the Lord ENCAMPS around those who fear Him ... Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD ... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing ... The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him."

The simple things of life...

Eli, the farmer

Pumping water down a half pipe to make a rubber ducky go is hours of entertainment!

Eli eating one before he goes for another one :)

Strawberry Pickin'

The boys both really got into it and could not wait to eat them.

(these pics are all backwards!)
Ms Heather told a story of how you grow strawberries. She has Aiden, Zach, and Sam's attention. Athan and Eli prefer to look at each other.

Mrs. Melissa (who came up with the idea to pick strawberries), Crystal and all the boys.

Dont forget to brush your teeth!

Well, this is what the toothbrush holder in your children's bathroom looks like when you live in New Orleans :)
Jolly Green Giant does not live with us. We did catch one of those toothbrushes (not the blue one or the tiny yellow one-to clear up any confusion) off a float on Mardi Gras day. It has been awhile since Mardi Gras, but it has also been awhile since I posted anything - Oh, well!!

Aiden prefers Mardi Gras in small increments of time, where as Athan is all about the loot (junk)! I personally just got annoyed with the traffic getting to and from Wal-mart. Having gone to a few parades, I was thankful for good weather and good times with friends and family.

I must conclude by saying, don't forget to brush your teeth! Do it and do it well. Brush your tongue, too. And while your at it - FLOSS. That's right, you read that correctly:)