I love logging onto facebook on Thanksgiving! Everyone's status lists the things they are thankful for and it just puts me in a good mood. I love reading about the little (and big) blessings in my friend's lives. It is particularly touching to read cheerful, thankful statuses from friends who have real reason not to be thankful this year; for example, friends with deployed spouses or friends who have recently lost loved ones. It is inspiring to see them choose thankfulness rather than bitterness. I just wonder what the world would be like if everyday was thanksgiving and if we intentionally looked for things to be thankful for no matter what other not-so-great things were going on?
I've been learning this lesson myself over the past couple of months. In fact, just recently I've needed an attitude adjustment in this department. My hubby and I are getting away just the two of us around Christmas time and have had plans for months for one set of our son's grandparents to watch him for us and recently the other set of grandparents let us know that they also wanted to watch him (we assumed they had to work) and thus ensued stress in trying to figure out how to fairly divide my son's time with his grandparents while we are away. Everything worked out and we are looking forward to some nice time away. What I need to remember is that having too many people that love our son and want to help us out is a good problem! I am so thankful that I have such wonderful parents and in-laws and am sooooo grateful that they are willing (and even eager) to watch our wild man so we can have some alone time!
Granted, my childcare dilemma is far from a serious problem, but I'd venture to say that there is something to be thankful for in almost any situation, as evidenced by my friends that are going through real heartache this holiday and have still found things to be thankful for!
As for me, there are so many things that I am thankful for that it would be impossible for me to list them all in a facebook status, or even capture them all in a single blog post. So I'll just mention one thanks I have today and that is that my husband is home and not deployed and for those who are deployed away from their family today.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Pay It Forward {GMG Week 9 Reflection}
Last week the Good Morning Girls studied 1 John 4:7-21;
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know that have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." (NASB, emphasis mine)
That is a lot of talk about love! Does anyone else feel like saying, "I GET IT! We are supposed to love. Now, can we move on?!" I'll admit, day after day of reading the same thing over and over last week kind of got to me. I knoooow this is important, but it also makes me feel pretty discouraged at times. Especially when I'm sitting down to do my Bible study right after speaking harshly to my cranky son or losing my temper with the dogs. It is completely beyond my power to love in the way that God loves me. If I'm honest, I have a hard enough time always acting out of love towards those I'm close to, much less, those who reject me or are rude to me. I fail at this simple and most important commandment every.single.day. So this week as it has been time for Bible study each day I've been hoping to open up the Word and see something else... something I might actually be able to accomplish! And yet, that is exactly the point, I cannot accomplish this on my own. It is only by His Spirit abiding in me that I can truly love my (hypothetical) brother (or son, or husband, or friend, or enemy for that matter...).
"By [love] we know that we abide in Him and He is us, because He has given us of His Spirit."
God's Spirit empowers me to love my son even when he is throwing a major tantrum. God's Spirit empowers me to love my husband when he tweaks my last nerve after a long day dealing with a cranky baby and two unruly dogs. God's Spirit empowers me to love my friends and family when they say or do something insensitive or hurtful and I feel like retaliating. And it is in these moments of supernatural love that I am assured of my salvation and the extreme difference that my choice to abide in Him makes in my everyday life (and in the lives of those around me).
God loved me first. He still loves me even when I am (extremely) unlovable. He loves me when I reject Him and choose to do the exact opposite of what He is calling me to do. He loves me so much He sent His perfect Son to pay the price for all the wrong, mean, downright evil things I've done. A sacrifice that, as a mother, I cannot fathom. If He did that for me, I can at least show a little grace and love towards others. I may require a little supernatural help, but I will Pay It Forward. Will you?
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know that have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." (NASB, emphasis mine)
That is a lot of talk about love! Does anyone else feel like saying, "I GET IT! We are supposed to love. Now, can we move on?!" I'll admit, day after day of reading the same thing over and over last week kind of got to me. I knoooow this is important, but it also makes me feel pretty discouraged at times. Especially when I'm sitting down to do my Bible study right after speaking harshly to my cranky son or losing my temper with the dogs. It is completely beyond my power to love in the way that God loves me. If I'm honest, I have a hard enough time always acting out of love towards those I'm close to, much less, those who reject me or are rude to me. I fail at this simple and most important commandment every.single.day. So this week as it has been time for Bible study each day I've been hoping to open up the Word and see something else... something I might actually be able to accomplish! And yet, that is exactly the point, I cannot accomplish this on my own. It is only by His Spirit abiding in me that I can truly love my (hypothetical) brother (or son, or husband, or friend, or enemy for that matter...).
"By [love] we know that we abide in Him and He is us, because He has given us of His Spirit."
God's Spirit empowers me to love my son even when he is throwing a major tantrum. God's Spirit empowers me to love my husband when he tweaks my last nerve after a long day dealing with a cranky baby and two unruly dogs. God's Spirit empowers me to love my friends and family when they say or do something insensitive or hurtful and I feel like retaliating. And it is in these moments of supernatural love that I am assured of my salvation and the extreme difference that my choice to abide in Him makes in my everyday life (and in the lives of those around me).
God loved me first. He still loves me even when I am (extremely) unlovable. He loves me when I reject Him and choose to do the exact opposite of what He is calling me to do. He loves me so much He sent His perfect Son to pay the price for all the wrong, mean, downright evil things I've done. A sacrifice that, as a mother, I cannot fathom. If He did that for me, I can at least show a little grace and love towards others. I may require a little supernatural help, but I will Pay It Forward. Will you?
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Go Navy!
The Naval Academy Midshipmen played the San Jose State Spartans in San Jose today. Of course we jumped at the chance to be able to go to a Navy game! Despite the disappointing loss, we had a great time tailgating with some good friends and fellow '06 USNA grads!
The boys passed a little pigskin during the tailgater. I love this photo of J in action!
Of course L had the newest lil Navy fan dressed appropriately for her first game!
Hubby manned the grill and our lil Q was not a big fan of tailgating (and missing his morning nap) but he did love the actual game (especially the pep band)!
This is such a fun group of USNA classmates, fellow submariners and wives! We always have a blast with these guys and today was no exception! All 3 babies even made it through the days festivities :-)
Here's hoping for a Navy win next time... Go Navy! Beat Army!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Advice Overload! {GMG Week 8 Reflection}
Last week the Good Morning Girls studied 1 John 4:1-6;
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (NASB)
There is all kinds of advice out there. It comes in the form of friendly conversation, magazines by the check out counter at the grocery store, books, blogs, etc, etc. As a new parent, the sheer amount of advice you receive from parents, friends, parenting books and magazines, and even total strangers is mind boggling. And it is amazing (and completely confusing) how so much of it is contradictory! Co-sleeping is dangerous. Co-sleeping is good for bonding. Breastfeeding is the healthiest option. Formula helps babies sleep better and gain weight. Cry-it-out helps babies learn to self-soothe and get a good nights rest. Cry-it-out is cruel. And it goes on and on and on. And the plethora of advice is not just limited to parenting issues... there is also plenty of advice available on how to have a good marriage, a good sex life, a hot body, etc, etc.
One thing I need to be careful about is discerning what is godly advice from that which is not. A lot of things seem to make sense and don't seem to be contradictory to Christian values at first glance, but when the philosophy behind the advice is examined, it isn't necessarily godly. I think that is exactly what these verses are talking about. Satan is the father of lies and he is crafty. He knows we won't take the bait if it looks like pure evil, but if something seems innocent enough even though it would give the tempter a foothold into our hearts and minds, then that is how he tries to get us. So I need to guard my heart and my mind by testing the advice that comes my way. Does the advice (and the philosophy behind it) align with Scripture? Is the giver of the advice a Christ-follower?
My prayer this week has been for wisdom to discern godly advice and to have the courage to act on that wisdom.
PS- A big thanks to all my wonderful friends and family that have provided so much good advice to me over the years, Christian and non-Christian, I value you all and have learned so much from each and every one of you! Thank you for caring.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (NASB)
There is all kinds of advice out there. It comes in the form of friendly conversation, magazines by the check out counter at the grocery store, books, blogs, etc, etc. As a new parent, the sheer amount of advice you receive from parents, friends, parenting books and magazines, and even total strangers is mind boggling. And it is amazing (and completely confusing) how so much of it is contradictory! Co-sleeping is dangerous. Co-sleeping is good for bonding. Breastfeeding is the healthiest option. Formula helps babies sleep better and gain weight. Cry-it-out helps babies learn to self-soothe and get a good nights rest. Cry-it-out is cruel. And it goes on and on and on. And the plethora of advice is not just limited to parenting issues... there is also plenty of advice available on how to have a good marriage, a good sex life, a hot body, etc, etc.
One thing I need to be careful about is discerning what is godly advice from that which is not. A lot of things seem to make sense and don't seem to be contradictory to Christian values at first glance, but when the philosophy behind the advice is examined, it isn't necessarily godly. I think that is exactly what these verses are talking about. Satan is the father of lies and he is crafty. He knows we won't take the bait if it looks like pure evil, but if something seems innocent enough even though it would give the tempter a foothold into our hearts and minds, then that is how he tries to get us. So I need to guard my heart and my mind by testing the advice that comes my way. Does the advice (and the philosophy behind it) align with Scripture? Is the giver of the advice a Christ-follower?
My prayer this week has been for wisdom to discern godly advice and to have the courage to act on that wisdom.
PS- A big thanks to all my wonderful friends and family that have provided so much good advice to me over the years, Christian and non-Christian, I value you all and have learned so much from each and every one of you! Thank you for caring.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Love is a Verb
I just posted a blog about what I have been studying in my GMG Bible study this past week. The passage I've been studying in 1 John 3:11-24 is about love. Specifically, verse 17 says, "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (NASB)
I've been thinking a lot about this verse lately. With the holidays (and Q's birthday) coming up I've gotten several requests for me to make a Christmas wish list. In the midst of racking my brain for what I want, I read this verse. Oooo, conviction! We are so blessed with "the world's goods" at this point in our lives and so are most of the people that we know which sometimes makes me forget about all those who are really struggling to make ends meet right now.
One of the only times I am confronted with this fact is when driving around the city where we live and occasionally seeing people with signs requesting food or money. I don't usually have cash on me, but some of us in our church small group were compelled to do something so we put together bags to keep in our cars.
For the cost of $12 per couple in our small group we assembled 100 brown paper bags that each have a bottle of water, a granola bar, a fruit cup, and a flyer with information on our church's food pantry. We each keep several bags in our cars to hand out when we see people who need them.
This is just a small gesture, but I pray that it is communicating love to those who are hungry. To quote DC Talk (and thus, age myself...) "love is a verb" and I can't claim to love people and not do something when I see a need that I am perfectly capable of addressing. 1 John 3:18 says, "let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
Does your family have any creative ways to intentionally show love to others? I'd love to hear them and maybe implement them!
I've been thinking a lot about this verse lately. With the holidays (and Q's birthday) coming up I've gotten several requests for me to make a Christmas wish list. In the midst of racking my brain for what I want, I read this verse. Oooo, conviction! We are so blessed with "the world's goods" at this point in our lives and so are most of the people that we know which sometimes makes me forget about all those who are really struggling to make ends meet right now.
One of the only times I am confronted with this fact is when driving around the city where we live and occasionally seeing people with signs requesting food or money. I don't usually have cash on me, but some of us in our church small group were compelled to do something so we put together bags to keep in our cars.
For the cost of $12 per couple in our small group we assembled 100 brown paper bags that each have a bottle of water, a granola bar, a fruit cup, and a flyer with information on our church's food pantry. We each keep several bags in our cars to hand out when we see people who need them.
This is just a small gesture, but I pray that it is communicating love to those who are hungry. To quote DC Talk (and thus, age myself...) "love is a verb" and I can't claim to love people and not do something when I see a need that I am perfectly capable of addressing. 1 John 3:18 says, "let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
Does your family have any creative ways to intentionally show love to others? I'd love to hear them and maybe implement them!
My bad day {GMG Week 7 Reflection}
This week the Good Morning Girls studied 1 John 3:11-24;
"For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever had the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him. In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." (NASB)
During my reflection time on this passage, I was looking back over my journal from this week and I want to share a quick prayer I had written;
God, I'm having a rough morning. I'm finding it nearly impossible to keep my temper in check with Q and I'm having a hard time controlling my emotions. I'm cranky and sad and am feeling selfish but I don't even know what I want. Please help me to put Q's needs first and to act out of love for him and everyone else unfortunate enough to cross my path today! Sorry for my lack of focus studying Your Word this morning- I can't seem to get in the right frame of mind.
I was having a bad morning but when the baby finally went down for his nap I habitually opened up my Bible and journal to do my quiet time even though all I really wanted to do was eat chocolate and veg out in front of the TV. As mentioned in my prayer, it definitely wasn't the most productive and enlightening quiet time due to my lack of focus, but God was faithful to use His Word to change me even if I didn't know it was happening.
This passage is all about love. Loving one another as a sign of abiding in God's love. I was not feeling very loving that morning. And when the baby woke up from his nap (still inexplicably cranky) my circumstances had not changed, but my heart had. By the grace of God and the power of His Word, I had a much better afternoon than I did morning. Life didn't become all rainbows and unicorns and it certainly wasn't the best day I'd ever had, but I felt peace instead of turmoil, strength instead of weariness, and love instead of frustration.
Have you ever felt like I did that morning? Maybe once a month ladies...? haha! Next time, try spending some time in God's Word, even if you don't feel like it, and see how He is able to overcome your bad mood:-)
"For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever had the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him. In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." (NASB)
During my reflection time on this passage, I was looking back over my journal from this week and I want to share a quick prayer I had written;
God, I'm having a rough morning. I'm finding it nearly impossible to keep my temper in check with Q and I'm having a hard time controlling my emotions. I'm cranky and sad and am feeling selfish but I don't even know what I want. Please help me to put Q's needs first and to act out of love for him and everyone else unfortunate enough to cross my path today! Sorry for my lack of focus studying Your Word this morning- I can't seem to get in the right frame of mind.
I was having a bad morning but when the baby finally went down for his nap I habitually opened up my Bible and journal to do my quiet time even though all I really wanted to do was eat chocolate and veg out in front of the TV. As mentioned in my prayer, it definitely wasn't the most productive and enlightening quiet time due to my lack of focus, but God was faithful to use His Word to change me even if I didn't know it was happening.
This passage is all about love. Loving one another as a sign of abiding in God's love. I was not feeling very loving that morning. And when the baby woke up from his nap (still inexplicably cranky) my circumstances had not changed, but my heart had. By the grace of God and the power of His Word, I had a much better afternoon than I did morning. Life didn't become all rainbows and unicorns and it certainly wasn't the best day I'd ever had, but I felt peace instead of turmoil, strength instead of weariness, and love instead of frustration.
Have you ever felt like I did that morning? Maybe once a month ladies...? haha! Next time, try spending some time in God's Word, even if you don't feel like it, and see how He is able to overcome your bad mood:-)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
It's a Girl!
Our dear friends, C and W finally had their baby late Thursday evening. We have all been anxiously awaiting the arrival of little miss K who was very content to stay nice and cozy in mama's tummy for as long as mama's OB would let her! As high as C was carrying right up until the day she was induced, I liked to joke that K was hangin on to mama's ribs for dear life resisting her entrance to the world and the big reveal that she is a girl!
And a lucky little lady at that to be born into this wonderful family! C and W have been praying for her since they found out they were pregnant (and probably before). C was laughing as she told me how when W would talk to her belly and pray for baby girl, baby girl would get all excited even in utero. Thanks to those prayers, you can tell this little lady knows the sound of her daddy's voice because when little miss was fussing after a little meal, daddy scooped her right up and danced her around the living room and she snuggled right into his chest and was as content as could be!
On another note, I seriously don't think I have ever met a more natural first-time mom than C! K wasn't even two days old when I visited and C was as relaxed as could be. She is the antithesis of a nervous parent. She doesn't try to control every little situation like how you hold the baby or how you swaddle the baby, etc. And when K woke up hungry, I offered to leave to give them some privacy while figuring out the whole nursing thing, but C just whipped out her nursing cover and continued our conversation while little girl ate as if she'd been nursing for months. Such a far cry from how stressed I felt when first learning to nurse Q! But I shouldn't be surprised at this, I knew she'd be an awesome mommy and it is my joy to see that dream fulfilled!
Thank you G family for letting me share in the joy of K's arrival! And thanks for letting me "go all paparazzi," as W says :-) I have not stopped smiling since I got to meet precious K and we could not be any happier for your family! All three of you are very loved!
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