Movie Monday: Curious George 2

Because we have had a stay at home day of cleaning, thought we we would take it easy this afternoon and enjoy a little movie. Our current favorite movie is Curious George 2. She asks to watch it and asks for popcorn just like Curious George book, which is a coloring book with George holding popcorn on the cover. So we had to have popcorn! Here are a few pics:

She decided she needed her "book" and horse to watch the movie.

 

Up and Awake

It's been over 2 months since my last post! Ahh! I'm not very good at keeping up with this. I'm not very good at keeping up with a lot of things. I make plans, set goals, take off sprinting and then crash and burn.

That is why I am up at 3:30am thinking and thinking and thinking. Last week, I was on top of everything and tonight, I am sitting in the middle of chaos. As I have been thinking about all that I need to do to get back up and get on top of the mountain again, one thing comes to my mind and that is what I don't want to regret. I do not want to regret never "making time to make memories." That line is a subtitle of a blog I follow. I look at her posts and see the mom and wife and child of God I have always desired to be. So many times I have missed the mark. It's not about what she does with her kids and husband and anyone else that is in her life or even how she does it....it's that she does it. She has not let her own personal tragedy keep her down. In fact, her own personal tragedy has been woven into a beautiful story and she made the decision to make that happen.

I have missed so many opportunites to make memories everyday, like turning cleaning up into a fun adventure, have some girl time or send Kevin and Katelyn on a daddy/daughter date. Tonight, or this morning, I have resolved to not let those moments pass us by. On Wednesday, Katelyn will officially turn 21/2 years old and I believe it's time to make some memories. So my new motto, maybe establishing this as our family motto, is Make Time to Make Memories. It starts tomorrow, or this morning....later this morning.

Bible Study Day 2

Read: Luke 1:26-38
Soap: Luke 1:37-38

S-For with God nothing is impossible. And Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.

O-NKJV   1) For with God nothing is impossible
               2) Be it unto me according to thy word
    NIV     1) For no word from God will ever fail
               2) May your word to me be fulfilled
    NLT    2) May everything you have said about me come true

What a great testimony of faith!

A-1) I need to have a faith like that. I am going to add to my daily remembrance that nothing is impossible with God.
   2) Facing uncertainty about the future, I need to trust God and say, "Be it unto me according to your word!"

P-Father,
I thank you for the great things to come in Kevin's job situation. Be it unto him according to your word. I know that nothing is impossible with you! In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Trust

Trust...this seems to be the theme for our lives right now.

Trust...believing that God's ways are higher than my ways, that His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

Trust...believing in all things He will work for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Trust...believing that He knows the plans He has for me and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future.

Trust...laying down all the cares of the world that choke me and follow Him.

It was amazing to see the parable of the sower in light of my relationship with God. As I allowed myself to be completely honest with myself, I found I am much like the soil of hearing God's word and receiving it joyfully, but in time allowing the cares of this world and the pull of possessions to choke me. It just hit me like a ton of bricks that when the cares of life over take me, I try to work it out myself. I try to make my own plan and in doing so, I follow my own path and am not following Jesus. Yes, I am saved, but I am not trully following Him. Following Him means to lay these cares and worries down, trust Him to follow His path, His way. He will take care of these worries. I don't have to work and fight these cares on my own. Yes, life is hard, but it doesn't have to be as hard as I make it, if I trust Him to be everything I need. Right now, I am needing Him more than ever before. I am learning to trust Him more. I am learning to wait patiently and often quietly. I am learning that my best laid plans will crumble beneath the weight of His perfect plan. His plan is greater than anything I could ever dream up, and I must remind myself of that even when I don't understand what is going on.

Trust...in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Reference: Isaiah 55:9, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 13:22

New Year, New Bible Study Session!

I have several goals for this year: personal, marriage, mothering, homemaking, ministry and financial goals. One of the goals is to blog twice a month...I may be doing that a little more these next few weeks as I use my blog to try to connect with my Bible study group. I am going to post my Bible study observations and applications each Mon-Fri through the rest of January to stay accountable. We connect through a private group on Facebook. I won't be utilizing Facebook until February. My husband and I have been taking a much needed break. It has been a blessing to refocus on the important things without all the nagging distractions.

So today begins my Bible study entries. Our Bible Study is through Good Morning Girls, titled Living Like Jesus. We are studying Luke 1-8. I use the SOAP method that was introduced to me through Good Morning Girls. It has helped me so much in learning to study the Bible. For more information, check out the Good Morning Girls blog here.

*Note-I read my passages in NKJV, NIV and NLT. In my observations, there may be a mix of those three. I will note which version I used.

S-Luke 1:1-4

O-Luke-having had perfect understanding of all things
Written for Theophilus to have certainty of those things he has been instructed

A-I can take these accounts at face value, since these were firsthand accounts. I need to read his word for myself so that I, too, can be certain of those things I have been taught. (NKJV)

P-God, I want to know you in a new and refreshing way, I want to follow you, your word, and not man. Though there are great teachers, I can not replace reading your word and knowing you personally with great teaching. Speak to me God. I wait for you and am listening, Amen!

I'm Thankful For: Extended Family

I am so thankful for all of our family-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I love all my family, both my mom's and dad's side and my family on Kevin's side. I feel so blessed to have such a great heritage and to know that Katelyn is apart of that line, too. I'm so thankful she is loved and we are loved. We know we have the support of family and that is such a comfort and blessing. Today was a great day and we got to see some family we haven't seen in awhile. I am thankful to have gotten to share this day with all the family that could come and missed the ones we didn't get to see. They are always in our hearts. We are blessed!

I'm Thankful For: Rest

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

 

 

I am thankful for a good night's sleep. I don't always have them, when my mind is racing or when fear creeps over me. But when I do, I am so thankful for the rest and I am thankful for when I am struggling to sleep, I can pray and remember the above scripture and many more. He has helped me so many nights. I am thankful for the rest He provides!

I'm Thankful For: Clothing

I'm thankful my family and I have clothes to wear when it is hot, cold, rainy or snowy. I am thankful we don't have to worry about what we are going to wear because we have not. It is not always easy to fill a closet, but God always provides. I'm so thankful He takes care of all of our needs.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:28-30

I'm Thankful For: My New Church Family

I have old church family that I love dearly. I just wanted to say that first. I am so thankful for all the people in our past. I am thankful for all the leadership we have been under that has helped to bring us where we are today. But today, was just a fantastic day with my new church family that I had to dedicate this post to them. I don't know all of them yet. I can't wait to get to know them. I actually came into this church with the mindset that I wasn't there to make friends. I was just there for Jesus. I even told God that and, well, never tell Him you aren't going to do something. We have become more involved than I ever wanted to be and I have fallen in love with my church family. I am so proud to be apart of this church and to serve alongside them. I'll admit there were a few times in the beginning that I sat in the worship service and just cried thinking, "What in the world am I doing here!" I just felt out of place, but in all honesty it had been so long since I allowed myself to step into His presence. It makes me sad to think that my problem was I wasn't as familiar with Him as I use to be and that was because I grew distant from Him. I hadn't drawn near to Him in so long. I just felt so unworthy and so ashamed and it took awhile to feel comfortable again in His presence, to feel comfortable enough to lift my hands, to no longer hold the tears back and let them flow from a heart of gratefulness. I am so thankful to this church for helping me to draw near again. I am far from where I want to be, but I feel I am far from where I use to be in just a short few months. I have Calvary Assembly of God to thank for that. There are times my mind is flooded with thoughts of, "What have you gotten yourself into," "You don't belong here," "You are just making a fool of yourself." But then I come into this church and there is always someone there who encourages me and they don't even know the battle I had been going through. They keep me going. I wish they knew just how much they mean to me. I am thankful to have been picked up, dusted off and given marching orders. We sat on the sidelines to rest for a season. I think that season had been over for while, but now we are back in the game and I am proud to be apart of this team.

I'm Thankful For: Family Who Love Us

We have such a wonderful family on both sides. They love us, all three of us. They are all so good to take Katelyn when we need the help and they all have the best time with her. We never have to worry if she is okay, if she is being treated good. We know she is in good hands and that is worth so much. We are so thankful for the love and support of family. We are richly blessed!

I'm Thankful For: Family Time and Date Nights

We combined both of these tonight. Spending time as a family and then when Kate went to sleep we spent time together. Yes, it was at home, but it didn't cost much and we enjoyed our time together, all of us. I am so thankful we can enjoy each other's company and I hope we always do.

I'm Thankful For: My Husband

There are absolutely no words to describe how thankful I am for Kevin. He means the world to me. He is patient, kind and loving. He is always there for me, even in the smallest of ways. I have gained some weight over the past several months and my comfy pants are no longer comfy to put on b/c of the drawstrings having knots in them that I can't get out. I told him about it and showed him and he said, "I'll take care of that." He fixed the knots for me so I could comfortably put them on. He didn't judge me and tell me what I know I need to do, "Lose some weight." No, he just keeps reminding me of how beautiful I am to him and makes sure I am comfortable, while I am at my worst physically. I know someone may read this and laugh, but it really was a sweet moment for me. I am thankful for the hard work he does to support our family financially and I am thankful for the encouragement he gives when I am at a point of, "I don't know what we are going to do!" I thankful he helps out around the house and with Katelyn when I need it. He does it without complaining. I am thankful for the laughter he brings. He is so funny and he helps me see the humor when I am being completely ridiculous. :) I am thankful he serves God and is leading our family. These choices we have had to make aren't always easy, but I know he is truly seeking and following God. He is so talented. God has blessed him with wonderful gifts and I love watching him use those gifts. It's like seeing a new person come to life. My life is richer and fuller with him in it and I am so thankful he picked me to be his wife. He is my best friend! I love him with every part of my being and I want nothing more than to be by his side to the very end. Thank you, Lord, for my husband!

I'm Thankful For: Story Time

Yes, I am thankful for story time with Katelyn. It is nice to get to snuggle with her and go through the book with her, watching her fascination one page at a time. She gets so excited naming things off on the pages that she knows. Another thing I am thankful for is I usually get a nice reminder of something I need to be reminded of in the message of the book. Like yesterday, I was a reading a book about our different emotions. Each emotion was a different color. I turned the page nearing the end of the book and read, "It's not always up to you, The way that you feel. But how you act is a different deal." There are days when my attitude really stinks and I am not the best at handling stress. I definitely need that reminder often and how humbling it is to be reminded by a children's book. I am so thankful for lessons learned and little reminders. I am thankful that God can use anything to speak to us. All we have to do is keep our ears, eyes and hearts open. I am thankful for story time with Katelyn Joy! I get as much enjoyment out of it as she does.

I'm Thankful For: My Sister-Jennifer

I am so thankful for Jen. She is an amazing sister. When we were younger, we use to fight all the time, but we couldn't stay angry for very long...at least not me. haha I remember one time we got into a fight and my dad sent us to our rooms. Our rooms were right next to each other and I remember knocking on the wall that separated our rooms to get her to come to her door. I poked my head outside and waited. She opened her door looked down the hall and I whispered loudly, "I'm Sorry!" That was the end of that fight. I know we are not perfect sisters and we still aggravate each other from time to time, but I couldn't imagine my life without her. She is a rock. I go to her for advice and prayer and she tells me like it is. I don't always like what she has to say, but it is exactly what I need to hear. She does so much for so many people and sacrifices a lot. She brings humor to a heavy situation and lightens the mood. She does so much that no one ever sees. She doesn't seek recognition. I try whenever possible to recognize the things she does. Like today, I called my aunt to see how she was and what she needed for groceries and found out that Jen had went and bought her groceries on Sunday. I so appreciated her doing that for me and for my aunt, but I didn't know about it until my aunt told me. When I had the chance, I told her thank you. Another thing about Jen is she is an encourager. She has lifted me up so many times with her words and God's word. I know she does it even when she is in need of encouragment herself. She gives out of her need. She is an amazing woman. I know she loves her husband and children and all her family and friends. She teaches her children in the way they should go and we can already see the fruit of her labor. She will stand up for her family and stand firm beside them. She is a priceless, irreplaceable friend in my life and I am so thankful she is my sister!

I'm Thankful For: Our Veterans-My Brother

Yesterday, was Veteran's Day and today, I am devoting this thankful post to all Veterans. I am so thankful for your service to our country. Your work, your dedication, your love for our country is not without deep appreciation. I am proud of you all. I want to specifically name a few family members who have served: my brother, Jerry Elmore, my uncle, Harold Freeman and my cousin, Jeremy Book...Thank YOU! I love you all!

I am thankful for my brother, even though he calls me names (as brothers do) and tortures me by tickling me. He is a loving brother. He is one of those people who will be there for you if you need him. He works hard and serves God faithfully. I appreciate his advice and respect his opinion. He is talented, caring and giving. He is a wonderful father and husband. I hope he knows how loved and appreciated he truly is. I remember one time when I was in the second grade, he came to pick me up from school early. He was about 20 years old. There is a little bit of an age gap between us. Anyway, when he walked in the classroom with his cowboy boots and cowboy hat on, everyone in the class said, "Wow! Your brother is TALL!" I was sooo proud! I was like, "Ya! That's MY brother!" I, also, remember that same year he got me a big gift for my birthday. My mom kept telling me how big it was and I kept asking, "Is it bigger than our house?" I was picturing a giant teddy bear taller than our house. As it turns out his gift to me was a surprise birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. That was huge! I loved that birthday party so much and I am so grateful to him for blessing me with that memory. I am thankful for him, not just because of a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party or that he impressed my classmates by how tall he was or for anything he has ever done for me like helping us cut down our dead pine tree, but just because he is my brother! Thank you, Lord, for that special blessing!

I'm Thankful For: Family Traditions

Today was our Sunday dinner at my dad's house. This is one of my favorite family traditions. We make it a point to meet at my dad's after church every other Sunday. (It use to be every Sunday.) My sister and her family, my brother and his family (my other sister is apart of it when she is down from Independence, MO), me and my family and now my aunt all go down to my dad's for a meal together. My sister, sister-in-law and I take turns cooking the meal. We, also, use these Sunday dinners to celebrate everybody's birthdays as they come. I enjoy cooking for my family, I enjoy having a meal with my family and I enjoy spending time with my family. I miss whoever is missing that day. Sometimes life gets in the way and some of them just can't make it, but we continue on and keep this family tradition alive. I am so thankful to be apart of a family that enjoys getting together so much that we make it point to do so every other Sunday (we get together at other times apart from this, but this is something that is consistent). In a world so full of change and growing apart, we still have something to hold on to that we know we can count on.  I know my dad won't always be around, we all won't always be around, but we make the most of the times we have while we are still here to have them. I was helping out in the nursery during the morning worship service and the lady working in there with me was talking with me about me going down there to cook the meal and she said, "You all are devoted to your Sunday's with your dad." Yes, we are and I am so very thankful for that.

I'm Thankful For: Peace

Haven't gotten on here to post my thankfulness. It has been a little busy around here. That is what this thankful post is about. Saturday, I was overwhelmed with all that I had to do that day and Sunday. It seemed like all my plans were closing in on me and then my mother-in-law prayed for me...

On my way home that night with a to do list still ahead of me and just wanting to crawl into bed and go to sleep, I felt the peace of God which transcends all understanding come over me and I calmed down. I was able to think clearly and felt strengthened to do what I needed to do that night before I got into bed. All that I had to do, I did it with His peace, His strength and I did it well. It wasn't perfect. My cake fell apart taking it out of the bundt pan, but I didn't stress and found a way to patch it up with the icing. It still wasn't a very pretty cake, but it sure tasted good. I think that is what matters. Our lives may not be perfect, but with Jesus, He makes it good. Thank you, Lord, for your peace!

I'm Thankful For: Well, just read on :)

Oh, there are just so many things to be thankful for right now. I just choose each day as it comes. There is no real order for me in how I post my thankfulness. Today, I am thankful for two things: I am thankful for the beautiful day today and how God cares about the desires of our hearts.

First, today is such a beautiful day outside. It is warm with a cool breeze. I have the windows open letting fresh air and bright sunlight inside. I am relishing this sweet day, because I know just around the corner we will be trying to shut the day out. There will be rainy, cold, stormy days and we will be thankful we can shut the windows and doors. But today, we are taking it all in. Isn't that how should be in life? Enjoy the good times and be thankful in the bad. During the good times we should treasure each moment knowing that it won't always be this good. And during the bad times we should be thankful knowing it won't always be this bad. Right now, my baby girl is laying down for a nap and she knows when she wakes up we are headed outside. We need more than just letting the beautiful day inside, we need to take time to go outside and be apart of the beautiful day. Afterall, the weatherman said in just a couple of days it is going to be rainy and turn cold. So I am thankful for this day!

I am also thankful that God cares about the desires of our hearts. Sometimes in life we make a mess of things and sometimes others make the mess for us, but despite it all God lovingly takes care of his own. I know he can use those messes to create a beautiful story. Here is a little story that means so much to me. A few weeks ago I was getting ready to prepare some Italian Bread Sticks in my bread machine for dinner. I was so excited about trying this recipe and to hopefully make something yummy for my family. I got the bread machine out and opened it up only to find the paddle was missing. All my excitement left. I started searching everywhere I could think of to find that paddle. I never could find it. I was so disappointed. I'm not a skilled baker. I'd like to be, but I'm not. The reality is I haven't had much practice and I haven't had anyone teach me. So, the bread machine helps me out. Well, I knew I'd have to put it on hold, but I never gave up. I posted my bread stick recipe on the fridge and just went about my business.

And then, today, my mother-in-law came by to pick up her car. She had a gift for me that she came across a week ago. She had it set back and had planned to give it to me for Christmas. Well, she thought about it and decided to give it to me early. She thought I might want to use it for the holidays. I know this was all apart of God's plan. I opened the bag and inside was a bread machine! This brought tears to my eyes. Although this wasn't a great need, it was a desire of mine and, yes, I was very disappointed that I couldn't use my old bread machine. I knew I couldn't afford to just run out and buy a new one. I knew I would just have to wait. And I now, today, I know that bread machine was meant for me. At around the time I found out I couldn't use my old one, a lady near Kevin's uncle's house was trying to sell her's and no one bought it. About two weeks ago, Kevin's grandmother was in the neighborhood and saw all this stuff and stopped to ask if she was having a garage sale. The lady said she was boxing it up to donate and she let his grandmother have it all....at least all she could fit in her car. When my mother-in-law saw the bread machine in all that stuff his grandmother came home with, she decided that machine was for me and set it back. No one but God knew just how disappointed I was and how much I desired to be able to use my bread machine. No one can convince me that wasn't God. I am so thankful the God I serve is so mindful of us. He is so personal and so near. I am thankful He cares about the desires of our hearts no matter how small they seem. This was no small thing to me. It meant the world to me! And here it is:

I'm Thankful For: My Dad

We had a nice little visit with my dad today. He had to come to Fort Smith for a doctor's appointment and he brought me my wedding ring that I left at his house yesterday. I am so thankful to call him my dad. He is always there for me whenever I need him. He is someone you can count on to be there and be there before anyone else. When I had surgery this past July, he, of course, was there with me through it all. Katelyn came down with bronchitis and her doctor appointment was at the time of my surgery. so Kevin had to take care of her. My dad took me home and stayed with me until Kevin got back and was able to take over. The next day he checked on me and brought me some candy. He is a sweet daddy. I love him so much and am thankful for each day I get to spend with him. I am thankful for his hugs and occasional kiss on my cheek. I am thankful for the calls to check on me and the quick visits when he is in town. I am thankful he is such a wonderful PaPa to Katelyn. I am thankful he is my dad!

Down at PaPa's

Went down to my dad's today to visit and clean and got a few pics of our time outside. Katelyn just loves to run outdoors, play in the dirt and pick flowoos (flowers). Notice her cupcake shirt? Her nickname is Cupcake. She sure is sweet as one.