Our Journey Home

Friday, July 29, 2011

Refining

I cried yesterday. Several times. I cried overwhelmed tears, happy tears, and I-don't-know-what -is-wrong-with-me tears. wink.
I know that the Lord is refining me right now. It's a hard season... I would be fibbing if I told you otherwise. Please don't misunderstand me; it's also a season filled with blessings and the Lord's presence. Refining is hard and sometimes the sanctification process hurts, but that certainly doesn't mean it's a bad thing. I read the following devotion about refining and it really encouraged me. I hope it will bless you, too!
(Scripture reference- Malachi 3:2-3)
"There was a group of women in a Bible study discussing the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three they came across a verse which says, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study meeting. That week the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that, in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. She asked the silversmith if he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes of the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver has been fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's the easy part- when I can see my own image reflected in it.' "

Through the Word, I am reminded that the Lord will never give me more than I can bear, and He will never leave me. I am so thankful that God continues to refine me and grow me in His image. I really want there to be less Sarah, and more Jesus in my life. Even when I'm uncomfortable, I pray I will rejoice in the assurance that this season is what the Lord has planned for me... and He knows what is the very best. Have a wonderful weekend! "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."- Psalm 136:1

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Surprise!

Yesterday was our eight year wedding anniversary! God has truly blessed our marriage abundantly. Our marriage would not be what it is today without the Lord, that is for certain. We don't have it all figured out, but we do know the Truth. For the first few years, we tried doing marriage 'our way' and if you know our testimony, you also know that we almost didn't make it. But doing marriage 'God's way' is a life filled with joy! We praise God for teaching us how to love one another!
I was telling Emma Grace and Bella about our anniversary, and they were fascinated. I explained that our anniversary is kind of like a birthday- it's a special day that comes one time every year and we celebrate being married. I pulled out our wedding album and although the girls have seen it before, they still loved looking at all the pictures. Emma Grace said, "Mommy, I wish I could have seen you in that princess dress. It's just so beautiful." I told her that I still have the dress, and if she wants to, she can wear it on her wedding day. However, once the girls heard me say that I still had the 'princess dress', they didn't hear anything else I had to say! wink! They both began to beg me to go put it on. We all giggled at the idea and I led them to my room to show the dress to them. "Pleeeeease put it on mommy!"
It was about 6pm, and I was expecting David home any minute. I looked at that beautiful dress laying across our bed. "Hmmmmm. Well, it is our anniversary, after all. Maybe it would be fun to surprise David and wear my wedding dress to greet him at the door?"
So, to the absolute delight of our two little girls, I slipped into the dress. It still fit! They cheered and I twirled and danced around the living room with them. We all eagerly awaited daddy's arrival. David had told me he would be a few minutes later than usual; he was going to run a quick errand with one of our dear family friends, Jeff. The girls began to squeal when we heard a truck pull into the cul-de-sac. We all ran to the front door to greet daddy! However, when I opened the door, the surprise was on me! wink! It wasn't just daddy, it was daddy and Jeff! We all laughed! I had to explain to Jeff that I don't normally wear my wedding dress around the house. It was an anniversary surprise that none of us will forget! ha ha ha!
Here are a few pictures that Wubs snapped yesterday. We like to document the craziness at our house! wink!
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he browses among the lillies."- Song of Songs 6:3

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Seven Days

Today I spent the morning folding laundry, preparing dinner (I like making our dinner in the morning so I'm not trying to cook in the late afternoon when our children always seem to need me the most) and sending a few emails for my job at the church. It felt like I accomplished so much while JJ was napping and the girls were happily playing together! We ate our lunch and loaded up the car to go to the pediatrician. It was JJ's 8 week check-up appointment. We arrived a few minutes early, so we sat in the car to listen to one more song on our VBS music cd. We finished singing and headed inside. Emma Grace and Bella eagerly ran over to the play area while I waited in line to check in at the front desk. It was the strangest thing, though. The receptionist couldn't find our name on today's schedule. It turns out we were more than a little bit early. How early? Seven days. wink.
Here are a few pics of the girls before bed last night!
Jesus answered,"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The plan...

I had to start this post with a picture taken at one of our favorite restaurants. (Yes, when you have three small children, Chic-Fil-A is considered a restaurant. wink.) Last Friday, we partipated in cow apreciation day. We dressed up like a family of cows to recieve a free lunch. We just taped black construction paper spots all over our clothes and I also made everyone some cow ears to wear. Bella has cow jammies, so she already had her costume! It was lots of fun!
However, the real reason for my post is accountability. God gave me an idea this morning as I was folding laundry. I am going to try to use this idea to lose the last 10 pounds of baby weight, and I am going to blog the results. That will make it more exciting! Maybe you'll even join me. So... here's the plan:
I am going to make a list. (I love lists, by the way. I have a daddy list for David every day, which documents the things I needed or just wanted to tell him while we were apart. And each morning, I make a to-do list to check off my chores, to keep me focused on the little goals I want to try to accomplish.) This new list will record all the foods I put into my mouth, every day. I think this plan just might work! Since becomming a mommy, I can't tell you how many pizza crusts, last few Goldfish, spoonfuls of mac-n-cheese, or 'lids' of Oreo cookies that I've eaten! All those calories count up by the end of the day, but I'm oblivious to the fact that I've even consumed them. I eat scraps of food from the girls' plates without even thinking twice about it. Until today. Yep, starting today, if I eat it, it goes on the list. Then I'll be able to see where all my calories are hiding! Since I'm nursing, I can't really cut back too much on my calorie intake, but I can eat foods that are healthy and helpful for weight loss. My goal? To feel better and hopefully even lose those ten pounds. How long do I have to reach my goal? August 6, my sister in law's wedding.
I realize that it's only 1pm, but so far, the plan is working! I'm really thinking about what I'm putting into my body- for example, I didn't even eat Bella's rejected yellow and orange Skittles! Woo Hoo! wink!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."- John 1:1

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Serving Others

This past Sunday morning, the sermon was about humble service. It was a message that really encourgaed me, but also convicted me of the yucky within my heart. Our associate pastor preached about our motives for serving. Sometimes we serve others for recognition or to recieve glory. Other times we serve out of duty- it is our responsibility therefore we complete the task. Sometimes we serve out of need; we recognize the need for volunteers/ a helping hand/ etc so it is only then that we offer up our time or skills. But we should serve others as Jesus served- out of love. In humble service. Wow. As a wife and a mommy of a six year old, a three year old, and a six week old newborn, I must admit... I often times serve my family out of duty or need. If I am being totally honest with myself (and if I'm being totally honest with you, wink) I would have to admit that there are days when I'm on auto-pilot and I'm not serving with love- I am only going through the motions. I was convicted when I heard this message because I don't want to simply 'get the job done'. I want to bless and intentionally serve my precious family out of love. I am praying that the Lord will continue to refine me in this area. I have so much to learn!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall note perish but have eternal life."- John 3:16