My Boots

For Christmas Dave wanted to buy me boots from a western store here in Pittsburgh.  I had looked a little online but wasnt sure what I wanted.  So the night we went Christmas shopping for the kids Dave and BJ thought it would be a good idea to shoot by the western store and buy me some boots.  Since you cant just buy someone boots, they have to be there to try them on.  Well, I was shocked to find out Ropers arent the "in" boot anymore. In fact, the pointiest toed boots are what's in style, "roach killers" is what we used to call them. It has been 20 something years since I've had a pair of boots on, AND I live in Pittsburgh now, so how would I know that?

I found a pair that was the softest leather, but the pointiest toed boots I had ever seen and I hoped they would grow on me so we bought them. I sent a picture of them to Heather, trying to get her opinion of them.  She was kind and said they were "nice".  Of course, we all know thats code for OMGosh how could she?  I slept on it and decided  in the morning they MUST go back!

Well, I got store credit and after Christmas was over and Ben was in school I would take some time and look over the boots and find a pair I liked.

Today was that day!  After looking over all the boots AGAIN, the lady was so nice and patient with me, she finally said here try these on for the fit. When I looked at them I instantly thought Hannah would LOVE these.  Of course, Hannah is 10!  SO slipped the boot on, and stood there for a second or two, then the lady said here try this one, handing me the other boot.  So I slipped it on and walked around for a minute.  I LOVED THEM!  I loved the look and the feel.  Instant LOVE!  I walked out of the store IN THEM.  Just like a little kid!

Thanks Honey! I LOVE 'EM!!!!

Pre-School

WOW what a difference it is.  Ben has only been in school an hour and a half, and I am starting to doubt my decision to put him in pre-school.  I know its whats best for him and he's ready for it, but, I miss having everyone home.  After homeschooling for 12 years then in a few months NOTHING, it's quite a change.

I started organizing the boys drawers in their room, I almost started to cry when I came across Ben's coat and clothes he's out grown.  My last little guy is gone.

I know this is whats best for everyone, and I know this is God's leading, which is why I am not seriously doubting myself.  I know God wants them to be in school.  Hannah and Aaron are doing so well, and I know Ben will be fine too.  I believe God wanted me to put them in school so I could be the mom he wants me to be to them, loving, supportive, caring, and most important a godly influence. I was overwhelmed with life before we put them in school.

Everything has changed!  We no longer go to the same church as we did for 12 years, we no longer homeschool, Danielle is in college, Dillon is working and taking college classes at the community college, Hannah and Aaron are in school and now Ben is in pre-school.  We have homework in the evenings, and no piano. 

Wow, when God turns the apple cart upside down he really does quite a job!

I suppose it time to start to make new friends.  Thats scary to me.  It's not hard for Dave to make new friends, it's not hard for Hannah or Aaron to make new friends.  But I get gripped with fear at the thought of it.  Just after we were saved, we lost all of what we thought were our friends, and found ourselves friendless.  So in faith I began to pray and cry out to God for new friends.  He brought the Pierson's into our lives.  OH WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!  Maybe I heard wrong from God on that one, I don't know.  I just know the scars are lifetime long and deep!

We went to a new life group meeting last night.  Dave liked it.  I am not sure about it, I just kept thinking how much like PCOP it was and the people were like people we knew there too.  I wonder if this is going to be like trying to name a baby...husband "how about Natalie?"  Wife... "No not Natalie, I once knew a girl named that!"        

I just need to adjust to this new lifestyle and trust God in it and praise God for it!

Lord, I do feel like I'm at a loss right now, all things I have known for so many years are different now.  What is your plan for me?  What is your plan for us as a family?  I know I can trust you, because your are trustworthy!  Amen.

      

One Word

This morning I decided I would start praying for my kids one at a time for a word that would best fit them.  So I started with Benjamin.  His word seemed too easy and confusing, "determination".  Yes, I though he is determined, but is that what God wants me to pray about?  Then his birth experience came to my mind; YES, determination is definitely fitting for him.  He was determined to get out, in spite of the circumstances and determined to live! I began to pray for him in all areas of his life. Next, Aaron came to mind.  "Courage", was the word for him.  Again a bit confused, but knowing this is an area Aaron needs strength in, I committed to pray for courage for him, in all areas of his life.  Then I thought about Hannah, I sat for a few minutes waiting on God, then the word "faithful" came to mind.  "Oh how perfect!" I thought.  She brightens up a room when she enter, and people are drawn to her because she's so bubbly and friendly.  Faithful it is!  Waiting upon God for Dillon, took a little longer; but finally, "lead" came to mind.  I thought about it for a minute, then prayed for him to lead well, and be lead well.  I'm still praying about Danielle and Dave's word.

At breakfast, I shared with the 3 kids (littles) about the one word plan.  They each said what they thought their words were.  Hannah said, "Responsible", Aaron said, "Patience", and Benjamin said, "Nice".  I translated Ben's word to a Biblical term "Kind" or "Kindhearted".

A little later, I shared with Dillon my thoughts about the one word plan, but not the word I felt God wanted me to pray for him.  He said he had already been thinking about character traits he would be praying for himself this year, and his words were "Lead and Diligence".  My eyes filled with tears because it could have only been God!  I just love it when He does that. I then shared with Dillon the one word God put on my heart for him.

Well, my word is "gentle".  I keep trying to get out of it and come up with another one, but that seems to be what God wants me to work on.

Blessed be your name when the world's all as it should be, blessed be your name.   

New Year - Old Baggage

As this new year began, I started reading through my journal from last year.  I have to admit, I was quite the whiner! The ramblings that I wrote must have been hard for God to listen to.  On the up side though, I do see how God met me and answered many prayers in spite of my pathetic groaning.

As with every new year we always attempt to start over, get a new beginning...well this year is no different; I am going to attempt to really dive into God's Word, dig deeper, and mature in my relationship with Christ. The difference will be how I approach this overwhelming task.  With one word!

This morning while I was taking the kids to school, I heard a radio host plug this website on how to make New Year's resolutions different this year.  My One Word of change.

SO lets start by asking some questions taken from MYONEWORD.ORG blog...


Question:  Do you feel that in the past year you have progressed or regressed in your relationship with Christ?  
Answer:  Well, I feel like I have been doing the "Two Step" with God this year.  Meaning, I think I have progressed, but regressed too.  I wish I would have been better at journaling my life so I could track approximately when I went off balance.

Question:  What shortcomings have you observed in your character over the past year?
Answer:  I think harshness, judging, and fear would be areas my character has been under attack.


Question:  What emotions and baggage are you bringing into the New Year?
Answer:  Lack of self confidence, Un-forgiveness, unwillingness or reluctant to serve family, church body, self pitty, self- righteousness, unrepentant heart, judging others based on my view of life though my own heart/experiences.

Question:  If someone were to ask what God had taught you this past year, how would you answer them? If you were honest, would your response be just lip service?
Answer:  I do feel like I have been wounded in the battle this year, but over all I can confidently say God began last year teaching me how precious I am to him.  That has always been a concept that eluded me until this year. I believe over the year's day to day struggle I lost sight of that, and began to doubt my worth in his eyes much less his hear toward me. 


The site just stops here, but I want to take this a little further, these are issues that need to be dealt with at the heart level, but then they need to be forgotten!  Don't keep bringing them back into the picture when the going gets rough.


Here are some ideas on picking your one word (taken from the blog myoneword.org)...


1).  Determine what kind of person you want to become: Ask yourself what kind of person did God create me to be?  What is the very character of God that should be displayed in my life?


2).  Identify the characteristics of that person. Get a picture of that person in you mind.  What are the qualities of that person?


3).  Simply pick one word.  Even though you may think of several qualities, resist the temptation to choose more than one word.  Just pick one!  


The process will be hard at times, even uncomfortable at first, but remember this trait is not part of your current day to day life, hence the need for change...change can be hard! 


Father, please help me to first see the need for change in my life, then give me the courage to step out in faith and make those changes. My desire is to be a pleasing fragrance to you!