broken-n-restored

Expecting our fourth child.

2008-03-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I found out that I am pregnant. I cannot believe it though. I was not really expecting it to happen any time soon. But God is so good. I am really excited. It has been almost two years now since my last pregnancy which ended terribly in a still born baby boy. However, I am so optimistic about this pregnancy. God has not forgotten me. I just know that HE is up to something awesome. I am expecting a lot this year. And, I just know that God will answer my prayers in HIS time. I am learning through a series that we are in now called "Could God be Too late?", and of course the answer is no and never. I am learning that sometimes the delays that we encounter are God's ways of increasing our patience and faith while HE is working out for us the details to the things we have asked for.
We serve a God who is always on time. HE just knows how to make a grand entrance. HE is glorious in all of HIS glory.
I sometimes look at my situations and say how but God looks at it differently and says learning, maturing, and building up character in us. HE is just so amazing. So, yea I am pregnant now and amazed at how God is so good to me. I have to reflect and say thank you to HIM for all HE has done and will continue to do in my life. I am just so thrilled and overwhelmed with joy.

Thank You God for everything.

A Great Weekend with My Husband.

2008-03-18T16:34:00.001-07:00

This past weekend my husband and I got a chance to have some alone time by ourselves without having our children. My closest friend, Jacqueline, had taken my children for us while we had some alone time. It has been seven long years since my husband and I had some alone time or had a date since we started having children. It was so weird because for the first time I did not have anything to say. ( And, I am a talkative person.) I was speechless.
It was hard because all our conversation has been around the children and about superficial conversations. But eventually, we started talking and it was fun. It had been so long that we did not what felt like to be without children. I have to admit it felt good to be without my children for the past weekend. We had laughed and just enjoyed being around each other. We were like teenagers. It felt good to be with my husband and not have to worry about the children for a change.
It is so important to schedule the date nights or weekend get aways because if not you both will wake-up one day and truly not know each other. I felt refreshed and anew. It was great. We will definitely be scheduling more date nights and weekend get aways together. And, now I have a good support system with my friend where we will trade off with each other. It is really great.

Awesome weekend. We will definitely be having more.

Too Many Distractions

2008-03-15T16:28:00.001-07:00

I have been so distracted these past couple of months that I hardly had time to keep up with my journal writings. I was telling a friend of mine of how I just did not want to write because it started to become another chore. And, when my mind started flooding with thoughts of what to write I just did not have the time to sit down and write them down.
In this life we live in today, there are too many distractions and not enough time to just silence the noise externally and internally. And, come to find out the most distractions or I should say the most noise level is internally. I find that we need to silence that noise more than any other noise else where. I find myself when it is time to wind down that is when my mind become filled with the pouring in of the noise. Noise of projects not getting down to finding schools for our children.
At times, I find myself thinking of nonsense things as well. It is amazing how our minds just wander aimlessly from one thought to another. So, I have decided to silence the nonsense noise. I will start spending 5 minutes away from external distractions and sit quietly and shut off the internal noise. And, eventually I will work my way up to 15 minutes. I will start to mediate on God's word in my quiet time.

Being filled with Joy.

2008-03-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

It has been a long while since I last wrote. A lot has happened. For one my family and I have relocated once again. Now, we are living in Houston, TX and pray this will be the last place we stay. Living here in Houston is really awesome. I am enjoying every minute of it. My husband loves his new job here in Houston. He is learning so much. He is happy as well.

Moving somewhere new is always difficult because we were finally getting settled in our old place which was Georgia. We had purchased a home and was getting use to being homeowners and now we have up and moved. I cannot believe it. We left a lot of good people behind who we really truly loved. However, we are making new friends here. I have to admit I am loving the weather here. In Houston, there is really not a winter here. I had barely wore a coat but mostly light jackets or sweaters. I am really enjoying it here. I really believed that God's Hand was all over this move.

And most of all, we are in a good bible teaching church. I mean I am truly excited to go to church and receive the Word. I have learned so much these past 4months that I have in my entire life. I can actually see the goodness of the Lord in my life. And, when I read HIS word it comes alive to me. I can actually open my bible and understand every word that is being read. It is like I am seeing for the very first time, and I am loving every minute of it. I am devouring God's word like ever before. My heart is overwhelmed with so much joy that I cannot contain it all.

I am truly happy!!!! Really happy!!!

We are laughing more. Just smiling more and loving each other more than ever. And, I am thankful to God for everything.

What is this relationship doing to me?

2007-10-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

Like I have said in my previous journal writings, I have been going through a transformation in my heart, mind, and soul. I have been going through a cleansing process of my own soul. I have been listening to series of teaching sermons that have been dealing with the renewing of the mind. Getting our minds into totally submission to God's word. And, I have been looking at my thought process and seeing how I am just not there yet in focusing in on God's Word. It is a process and it does take effort to get our minds into submission in God's Word. For me, I am truly hearing and seeing God's Word come a live to me like the first time. It is like the veil has been lifted from my eyes and I can see.

When I listen to these series, I see that the scriptures are not being misuse for gain but are helping us to see our selves and how it is imperative to live a life for Christ. We are living in dangerous times; especially those in the church. I feel like and see that several churches in American are not truly teaching the whole scriptures or the whole gospel. Instead they are misinterpretation scriptures for their own agenda. And, that to me is dangerous especially if we are professing that we are Christians. Many of these churches are fleecing, raping, robbing their sheep of the true message of Christ. They are robbing their sheep of the ability to truly walk God's Word out in full light in their lives.

The churches today are so busy teaching a word of name it, claim it, believe it to receive messages that the people are literally dying spiritually. That to me is sad because to me than we will never truly be free. Instead, we are still in bondage. When we go to church, the Word is suppose to convict us to be better instead we say "that word was encouraging I feel good".

When Christ came to the earth HE did not teach a feel good message instead HE told us that we are sinful and need to change. As Christians we are to put on the new man daily. We are in a daily battle spiritual with the enemy and so of us are not even ready to fight nor prepare to fight.

I have been focusing on King Solomon and how God came to him and this scripture rings out to me. Of how God said " If you obey me and Keep my laws and my commands", (1 Kings 3:14). I had to mediate on these words. God truly wants us to keep HIS commands in our hearts. And, as I continue to read Solomon's story I noticed that as he got old he did not keep God's commands. So, this leads me into the series I am now listening to Called " What is this relationship doing to me?

Here are some of the notes I have taken from this series:

Text reading from: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 1Kings 3: 1-14, 1 Kings 11: 1-4
Our ultimate goal: To establish a relationship with God. God wants to be first in our lives.

Reference texts: Exodus 34:12-16, 1John 2:15-17

God is a jealous God and HE wants first place in our hearts.

Reference texts: John 15:1-10, Matt. 10 34-39

We must be connected to God. We must renounce our relationship to the world.

True Christians must reflect Christ in all circumstances.
All that I do must reflect Christ. We must reflect HIS nature, HIS character.

True Christians knows their identity in Christ.
-knowing our identity is the bases for our freedom.

When we know who we are then we are free... but if we do not know who we are then we will always be a slave to this body and world.

As A Man Thinketh In His Heart-Continued

2007-09-24T17:47:00.001-07:00

Like I said in the previous journal, I do feel like God is dealing with me on a different level. And, I thank HIM for it. Here are more notes from Lesson 2 on the series "As A Man Thinketh In His Heart" by Pastor J. T. Fowlers.

Lesson 2 Notes:
The base scripture of the whole series is Proverbs 23:7a

Points:

Even though Permanence is God's will for us, God does not make us enter into a place of permanence ( that is completely left up to us)
Our greatest battle is in our minds. If we really want to know where a person is we need to only watch them long enough.
The most difficult task is getting our minds under control.
We will never make wise choices, you will never be able to discern the Father's voice- unless we learn how to control our minds.

If we never control our minds, we will never control our lives.

We need to realized that God's word is powerful.

References:

Matt. 12:30-37

Mark 15:16-20-The Lord is dealing with a man's state of soul.

Mark 7:18-23

Our minds must be retrained.

A man's life is a product of his soul.

I am continuing to strive. This is not an easy process but through God it can be done.

As A Man Thinketh In His Heart

2007-09-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

I am at a place where I know that the Lord is bringing me higher. For the past couple of weeks I have saturating my soul, heart, and mind in God's word. I am yearning for HIM in more abundance. I am in a place where I want, no where I need God to renew my mind. I am at a place in my walk with Christ where I am just tired of all the foolishness and just want to live for HIM in complete obedience.

I have been listening to a two part teaching series called "As A Man Thinketh In His Heart" base on the scripture Proverbs 23:7a by Pastor J.T. Fowlers. In just these couple of weeks God has opened my mind to see things the way HE sees them. I am just thirsty for HIM. I do not want to live a mediocre life but a life full for HIM. And, I want my children to live up to that potential as well. These teachings have been bringing me up to another level. Sometimes, you listen to other pastors teachings and say okay, but listening to her has made me see myself in a different way. I had to repent and ask God to help me to bring my mind in complete submission to HIS authority. HIS complete being.

I had to listen to lesson 1 (tape 1) for about seven days before I moved on the lesson 2. That is how good God is working through this woman of God to bring the people into God's obedience. I had taken three pages of notes and could of taken more because every time I played a tape something else was being revealed.

I feel like the times are dangerous. Us as Christians are being deceived by a lot of preachers out there. We as Christians need to stop sleeping and wake-up to that issue. A lot of us are spiritual being raped, robbed by a lot of preachers who just preaching sermons; where their interpretation of scriptures are being clouded by the greed within their heart. And, frankly I do not want to deceived any longer. It is imperative for us to stop living like God is not a magician who is suppose to request our needs at a moments notice; yet knowing we have not
been walking correctly in HIS complete obedience.

Life is too short. So, my challenge to strive for a life that is righteous before God.

Here are some of the notes I had taken: (Lesson 1)

First point is that: God deals with us base upon were we are and not were we pretend to be. ( A lot of us show people what they want to see but God knows exactly were we truly are in life.)

Permanence: it is the quality, the state of being long lasting without regressive change. (God wants us to walk in a place of permanent change instead of changing up on HIM)

In order to gain "conquest of the mind" we need to grow.
-Growth and development demands self discipline.
-Self discipline demands self government.
-Self government is the result in the conquest of the mind.

Second point: Conditioning the mind is essential to the development of our character or it is detrimental to the character development.

References: Ez. 11:5, Jer. 17:10

Third point: What we believe about ourselves create our world. And none of us can live beyond our beliefs.

1. Our beliefs are the products of our thoughts.
2. Our thoughts create our beliefs.
3. Our beliefs create our convictions.
4. Our convictions create our attitudes.
5. Our attitudes controls our perception.

-the way a man thinks is the difference between those who change for permanence and those who change seasonally or make excuses for poor behavior.

Problem: is that most of the people don't see the deficit in our thinking - were right in our own eyes and declare that we are okay but God exposes the deception.

Third point: A man's life changes only when first his thinking changes.
-While salvation is instant the conquest of the mind is progressive and it is also the key to receiving revelation from the Word through the Holy Spirit; which must be translated in action on our part that God might be glorified.

Have we lost our passion?

2007-08-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago. I was reading a blog where a woman spoke on something that hit me hard. She was speaking about her daughter's love for Elmo. How when her child sees Elmo she just lights up. She states that her daughter is in love with Elmo. I too then noticed that same kind of passion, love, and adoration with my son and Thomas the train. He just gets so crazy for Thomas the train.

Then she goes on to compare how we say we love Christ but yet somewhere along the lines of life we lost that same excitement for HIM. I thought about this for a while. I had to ask myself "do I get excited for HIM the same way I would if it was something else?" I had to truly answer myself and said no. I do not know. I love the Lord but not in the same manner my son would when he sees Thomas the Train.

I do not know why? As we get older the simplicity of things change. For children they see less complicated things in life then we do. They are just so innocent and our eyes are more cloudy. Why do we lose that passion, that zeal for Christ? This woman got me thinking than ever. She made such a good point. I can remember the first time I got saved and how I was just so on fire for Christ. And, now, it is not the same. I do not know if it is the busyness of life or just things happen to make you question sometimes. But, I am more determine than ever to get that fire back. I do not want to lose my fire but I want to continue to have the blazes burn higher and stronger.

This is something I will continue to pray about and work on. Because, I want to be aware of how I am treating my God.

What a wise woman does.

2007-08-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

"The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish one pulls it down." (Proverbs 14:1)

This is one of my favorite verses. When I read this verse I am empowered to strive more in my walk with God. It speaks volume to me. I have to think about it for while and ponder what does this wise woman do in order to build up her household? What steps did she take to make sure that her foundation is strong? Then I start to list things down. First, she makes sure that her walk with the Lord is right. That she is cultivating her relationship with the Lord on a daily bases. Second, she is making sure that her relationship with her husband is being molded daily. Making sure that each need is being met, by learning how to speak her husband's love language. Edifying her husband and respecting him as the head of the household. Respect is a tough word for some women because they do not respect their husband. They undermind their husbands and treat them like children. And, that is not good. God wants us to encourage our husbands. Inspire them to be what God has called them to be. To stand strong with them, to aid them, to nurture them in every sense of the word. Thirdly, raising strong children for God. Teaching our children by example. Showing Christ to them daily.

That is what I think about when I read this scripture. I ask myself did I build upon my house today? Did I reflect God's word about being my husband's crown? Did I show God that my husband is highly favored because he has a good wife? These are the questions I ask myself. Because, I know that we live in a world where the men and women are at odds. But within my home we are united together. Also, I do believe that my husband and my children deserve to have the best. I do believe that I am best. My Lord strengthens me daily to be the best wife and mother to my husband and children. So, when I read this scripture I am encourage because my focus is on pleasing God to the fullness by ministering to my family and living the Word daily.

Milestones

2007-08-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today, I started back to work at my mother morning out program in my church. I had an awesome day. The kids are adorable. They are calm spirited. They are happy and funny kids. Today was indeed a good day. I am excited about this year coming working with these children. They are eager to learn. There is one that made my heart just leap with joy. He is a special needs child. He has down-syndrome. He is only 2 years of age. However, I noticed the growth in him.
During the summer him and his brother started coming to the summer program my friend does at the church. And, I just kept hearing about the progress he has overcome. He uses sign-language to communicate because his speech is not fully developed yet. However, he is absorbing every information. He used to sit on a high chair now he is sitting on a regular chair at the table. He is a big boy. He just makes me so happy. He does funny faces and I do them right back and we laugh.
Today, while playing in the playroom he climb the stairs to the slide. And, I just cheered him on and clapped my hands. He clapped too. He also went down the stairs as well. He is really smart. His face just lights up with so much glow when he smiles. He was my little shadow today in the playroom. He is just so terrific.
Things like climbing up and down the slide stairs or sitting at the big boy table with his friends or just helping him do thumb prints may be nothing to someone else, but to him their are his milestones in life that he gets to accomplish.
I look at him and I am proud to be his teacher this year. He makes me think how sometimes we can get wrapped up with our selves too much. Just like he is accomplishing his milestones it makes me think what milestone can I too accomplish my self to not only better myself but also to help someone else?

He is just so amazing. He is my little ray of sunshine. Little does he know it he is teaching me more than I am teaching him.

A proud mother.

2007-08-01T19:47:00.001-07:00

Tonight my heart is overjoyed. I had a graduation ceremony to celebrate the students that will be moving up to the preschool rainbows at my church. And, my son also graduated from the green rainbows to the blue rainbows. Looking at these kids just grow up and become independent of their parents. I love to hear my son say "I am a big boy mommy not a little boy." He has already asserted his independence from us. He is looking more at his daddy and wants to emulate him so much.

I am so proud of my baby. He earned 11 units badges from his class today. He received the second most from his class. The max is 12. He is so smart. He just loves learning. I thank God for his ability to want to learn. He is my little baby. I love to see their accomplishments. It just makes me feel so good. When they accomplished something; it just means I too accomplished it with them. It is so amazing to just see them develop so much right before our eyes. My husband is so proud of our son that he was the loudest cheering for Michael when they called him up. It is a wonderful joy to have children in our lives. It is a humbling experience.

They are growing up so fast. It was just a couple of weeks ago when Fiona was in diapers. Now she is fully potty train. She is a big girl. I just never want to forget any moment with them. I do cherished them so much. Our children are our treasure. And, I thank God for them.

Do we really love Christ?

2007-07-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

How can we say we love Christ when we hurt HIM so?

Today, my heart is grieving. Yesterday, my husband and I heard some terrible news. Our friends has called it quits on their marriage. We found out yesterday that they are separated. I am not happy at all by this. It just frustrates me so much when we say we love Christ and yet our actions speak another language.
I know that they were having issues but I thought things were getting better. (And, I still believe it can get better)
I just do not get it. No one cheated. No domestic violence. But just differences of opinion. I am just not happy. Now, the kids will suffer. They have allowed the enemy to win over their marriage. That is how I see it.

I just think of the children involved in this. Children know when things are different. They did not ask to come into this world. So, why not try to work on your marriage? Marriage is not easy but with Christ it can get better.

I am just so hurt by this. Because we say are Christians and yet we have failed marriages. We do not go for help instead we just give up.

So, yea. How can we say we love Christ when we reject HIM daily?
We reject HIM through our manner of speech, attitudes towards each other, and our hearts. We say that we love HIM with our mouth but our hearts spur out words of hate.

If we truly love God then let us be like HIM. Talk like HIM. Walk like HIM. Let us show love to one another. Let us commune daily with appreciation towards each other. Let us build our relationships daily on HIM. Let us wash our hearts with HIS word. Because when we do that then we will not need to say with our mouths that we love HIM because our walks will have declared it so.

ABC Praise.

2007-07-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today, I just wanted to thank God for all his goodness and HIS awesome blessings in my life.

God is to me:

Amazing
Beautiful
Caring
Divine
Empowering
Faithful
Great
Heavenly
Insightful
Joyful
Kind
Loving
Majestic
Near
Optimistic
Powerful
Quenches my thirst.
Real
Super
Talented
Universal
Valor
Wise
Xordinary
Yes
Zeal

These words describe God's goodness in my life. There are so much more words because our God is just so good to us. I cannot say enough thanks nor can I say enough to express my love for HIM. Thank you Lord for everything and more to come. Take the time to thank HIM for HIS goodness in your life today.

2007-07-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

How productive can we be when life is passing us by? We live in a world of busyness but to me I see nothing getting done. I have decided to just live and let live. Life is too short to be busy all the time. I think that sometimes we like to say that we are busy because it makes us feel important or that we are doing our part in the contribution. In reality we are wasting precious moments, time, and energy on things that are really not important. Just really think about it?

Take a moment and ask yourself, what am I wasting time doing that is not producing anything? And, think about what you could be doing that will produce a harvest. Sometimes, we forget that life is too short and we miss the bigger picture. Like the word says "tomorrow is not promise to us." So, why not think about embracing someone who may need a friend? Or if you have friends why not nurture the relationship a bit more? Or if you are married, why not show more love to each other ? And, if you have children, spend quality time with them.

Everybody needs somebody, so just stop saying that you are busy all the time, because if you really look at it you may have plenty of time then you know it.

Time does not make you but you make the time.

My husband: " A Great Dad."

2007-07-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

I love to watch my husband play with our children. I just adore the way they run to him when he gets home. They show so much excitement and joy. And, the way my husband's face just lights up when they yelled "Daddy's home". It makes my heart melt.

I can remember before we had children, and how I wanted my children to really love their daddy. It was important to me for my husband to be involved in our children lives. The reason being because my father was never really involved in my life and still isn't.

I can remember listening to my husband speak about his father. I noticed the love he had for his father. He had an okay relationship with his father. But at the same time, I sense a longing for a closer relationship with his father. My husband comes from a big family. He has six brothers and three sisters. Being in a big family you tend to get overlooked. I do not think it is intentional but you just do. So, you do not get the same kind of relationship with your parents you would like to have even when they are good parents.

I think that is why it so important to my husband to have a close bond with our children, especially with his son. Michael just adores his daddy. He wants to be like his daddy. When Guy goes to work, Michael gets sad. He says to Guy, "daddy I want to go to work with you ". It just melts my heart. I know that makes his day.

That is his goal in life. He wants to be the best father he can be to his children. And, Fiona is his little princess. She loves her daddy. She loves to sit on his lap and be pampered by him. He is a good father. He plays with them. He is attentive to them.

Over the years that we have been together, I am just amazed of how good a father he is to our children. Sometimes, we joke of how if anything ever happen to me, he would go and live with the kids. I just laugh. My husband does not like to live alone. He is a good man. And, I am glad that our children have him as their dad.

2007-07-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you get tired of people talking in your ears? People who always have an opinion about something that you never asked their opinion for? Those who want to basically run your life for you. Well, I have gotten to a point in my life where I am just tired of that. I will be 30 soon. And, this past year I had to start making life alerting decisions. Decisions that will only empower me in the future. I had to seriously evaluate the people around me. The people who do nothing but input things that do not help me but only hurt me.

As, I am growing and maturing in the word. I have come to my breaking point where I just only want to hear the voice of God in my life. I want to live a life only for HIM. A life well meaning to HIM. I am tired of the nonsense and what something real. So, as I am fasting this week. I have resolved that I will be cautious of people I let in my life. I think it is imperative to be selective of the people around you. Because, I noticed not everyone is a friend. And, not every one is happy for you. They are only there to bring you down.

So, I have decided to stop! Stop being around people who are only there to drain you. I love to encourage people. To help them strive for the best; to encourage them in their walk with God.

So, I have to be wise in the friends I choose. And, I want to teach my children the same values in being wise in friendships. I know that your walk with God is important so why not take the time to re-evaluate the people around you. Ask yourself are the people around good for me or only hurt me? And, also evaluate yourself and ask yourself are you helping or hurting others too?

2007-07-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today, I am happy. Sunday we heard a word that encourage my husband and I to really give everything to God. Our hearts have been heavy for a while, but Sunday after hearing the word we gave everything to God. For me, I know that I had been battling to choose to have another baby or not. I have been going back and forth. The desire is there. And, I do want one.

About 11 months ago, I had lost a child. I had carried him for 9months and he was born dead. I was devastated. However, now that time has passed. I really want to have another one. I was not at peace about it for a long time. But Sunday after that word there was peace. So, I am happy to say my husband and I are trying for another one. I am excited. My heart is lifted. It is just so wonderful.

I was telling my husband the other day, that God always knows what we need. HE always knows how to answer us. HE gives us the peace we are so desperately looking for. So, now we are fasting and praying for things to come. We are standing on God's word for everything.

2007-07-03T16:07:00.001-07:00

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine. We were discussing why some women make damaging mistakes that not only effect them but the people around them. Their children especially. I wonder why they do not learn from their past errors. Why? Is the question. I guess a lot has to do with the way they were raised. However, does that give these women the excuse to not change? Does it allow them to persist in the error of their ways? Does it allow them to be blinded or in denial?

My answer is no. Reguardless, of what you have gone through in life; it leaves no excuse to continue in the pattern of distruction. Especially, when it involves children.

And, this not only goes for women but also men as well. Men who leave their wives and their children. Stating that they could no longer work it out with their wives but still love their children. Which is a lie. Because if you loved your children you would not have left their mother. But instead stayed and worked on improving the relationship.

I was saying to my friend how awesome it is to be married to my husband for 6 years now. It has not always been an easy road but we choose to make it work. We love each other and like each other. We made a covenant before God and man that we will last forever til death separates us. And, our foundation is Jesus Christ.

So, again I wonder why do we make such damaging decisions that lead to consequences that are so distructive to those around us. Why?

Should we continue to go on and blame the past or learn from it and start focusing on the furture?

As, I ponder on it. The reason being is that most of us do not know who we are in Christ Jesus. When we do not know who we are. When we act out of God's charater we make poor choices. Which in turn leads towards the negative effects in our lives. I think that is why some women make negative choices in the mates they choose and vice verse for men as well.

That is something to think about.

Be open to HIM.

2007-07-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Do you hear that?
I do not hear anything.
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
Hear that mellow voice calling your name.
What voice?
God's of course.
God is calling your name.
He is reaching out to you.
He is saying, "Come my son. Come my daughter. To the Father who loves you."
Come and I will give you rest. He says.
Come and I will give you peace. He pleads.
Open your hearts.
Open your eyes.
Open your mind to me. He whispers.
God is calling to you.
So, take the time to listen to what HE has to say.
You might be surprise to what you will hear.

Extended Mercy

2007-06-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today, I found myself in a place where I was bothered. Tonight, we went out to dinner with the kids. And, Fiona pee-pee twice on herself. I was upset. She was doing so well. Then, she goes and has an accident. My husband told me that I should of placed a diaper on her. However, I did not want to hear from him at that moment.

After, cooling down. On the way home, I did ponder. Why did I get so upset? It has only been five days of potty training, and she is still learning. She has been doing great so far. So what if she had an accident twice. I came prepared for it.

While, driving home and mediating on the song "at the foot of the cross" by Tammy Trent. I was reminded how we should extend mercy towards others and that goes especially for our own children. I just had to laugh because God is patient with me when I make mistakes. He extends HIS unfailing mercy to me daily. Why not show that towards my children? So, I repent for being short with Fiona. And, I gave her lots of kisses and hugs.

Sometimes, we need the Holy Spirit to remind us that we are not perfect. And, that we are all striving to be complete in Christ. Like the versus says in Roman, "we fall short of the glory of God." But, thanks to his Name for HIS amazing love.

Stop Complaining

2007-06-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

Exodus 16:2-3, "In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

I read these two versus and I am reminded of myself and my attitude at times when things get tough. Like the Israelites, I feel that God had brought us out of a land where we were just going through for a long time. And, so HE opened the doors for us to migrate to Georgia. However, just like the Israelites, when times got tough for us here, we complained and grumbled at God, and even question us making the right decision. How funny is that. Well it is not.

Our Lord has provided for us. HE has protected us. HE has given us so much and yet we still complain, like HE has done nothing for us at all. How ungrateful we are to HIM. And, yet regardless of it all, HE still reaches HIS gentle hands out to us.

Now, when I find myself in a place of murmur, I quickly repent and thank HIM for his goodness. What do we really have to complain about? When others around us in this world have much less than we do. I think we are so spoiled here in America and we take life for granted. Where in other countries people are dying just to live.

So, now I take each day to thank God for all HE has done. And, I make it a point to pray what I am thankful for in front of my children so that they too will understand.

Potty training

2007-06-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

Today, I decided to make my mind up and potty train my daughter. I was reluctant at first in doing so. Mainly, because I was lazy. Lately, she has been showing interest in potty training. So, yesterday my husband and I were talking and decided that it was time.

First day in potty training and I have to admit, it is going well. Doing the number 1 (pee) is okay, it is doing the number 2 (poo) that is in question. She did the #2 twice today in her underwear. I keep telling her we do the #2 in the potty. I know that she will get it soon. Just work in process. We just need to take it one step at a time.

What I noticed about myself in potty training my daughter, is the patience I have now. With my son, I have to admit I was not as patient. I mean he got the number 1 (pee) find. It was doing the number 2 (poo) that I was having a hard time with him in doing.

I encourage her and tell her that she is a big girl now. She loves her big girl underwear. So, every time she potties I clap my hands and say good job. I give her a high-five and she jumps up and down. She is happy. My son joins in on the party and gives her a big hug, and tells her good job as well. I am really happy that the first day went well.

Loving Your Job through a Positive Attitude

2007-06-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

Some of us hate our jobs, or if we do like our jobs we have bad employers or bad employees that make going to work a chore. This morning I read a word from my devotions that really put a twist in things for me about our attitudes towards our jobs and maybe towards our life in general.

It states seven things that we need to do to achieve happiness in our work environment. I will take it a step further and say achieving happiness in our life in general.

1. See work as God's gift, not punishment.

2. Recognize God as your true employer.

3. Pursue work compatible with your gifts.

4. Learn everything possible about your job.

5. Use criticism to your advantage.

6. Do more than is expected of you.

7. Make Jesus your work partner.

By: Trinity Chapel Daily Devotions

The way I see it life is work. We are constantly in battle and I feel that God has given us the tools to overcome each situation or obstacle that we face in life. I think that by taken the tools that God has given us and having God with us in all things will definitely help us through the ugly situations life posses on us daily. As Christians we have to come to a point in our walk and say enough is enough. When are we going to grow-up? We are always complaining when things get tough. And, I wonder what God is saying to himself when we complain so much in his ears?

Why not wake-up to the fact that yes life is hard. Yes, we all have been through stuff. Now, lets change that by going into the Word and use and listen to what God has given us to improve ourselves daily. This goes for me as well.

We all have purpose in life to achieve the greatness that God has placed in us. These tools are effective if we take to time to say okay, I will choose to have a Christ attitude. I feel that if we say that we are Christians, then we need to be just that. Imitators of Christ.

Wisdom--knowledge--understanding--imply--do!!!

You have to continue to "FIGHT" through.

2007-06-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Today, as I was returning back from my son's doctor appointment. I was listening to Yolanda Adams song "I believe" and all of sudden I just got a burst of Joy. I was crying and feeling encouraged all at the same time. I believe that God was sharing his Joy with me. And, I needed that.

Life is hard and we all know that. However, we have to "truly truly" choose to be happy. The enemy is hard at working to create chaos for us daily in our lives. We have a God who is strong and mighty, and who already has and continues to get victory for us. But we have to choose to over come every obstacle that we face. Listening to that song just empowered me more to continue on the fight.

I know that facing obstacles is not easy, believe me I had my share of terrible events. But you know what the difference is, is that I chose to continue on regardless of the situations. Also, I know that whenever we are going through something, God places people there to encourage us through.

So, do not give up because you already have the victory.

"See yourself at the finish line.
Visualize that everything will fall in line.
Visualize the land while riding through the storm.
Believe that you can make it.
Believe that you are special.
Believe you have the victory. " --by Yolanda Adams.

Thankfulness

2007-06-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am a truly blessed. Today, we celebrated Father's Day. And, as I took the time to reflect on the man my husband is, I have to say that I am blessed. Today, we all went out to eat to his favorite restaurant. And, it was amazing. We all were laughing and enjoying each others company. I just looked at him and said to myself, he is such an awesome husband and father. How did I get so lucky?

I just thank God for him everyday. Today, I got up early to cook him breakfast, brought him his card, and I told him to focus on himself today. Usually, he helps me bathe the kids and get them ready. But, today I just wanted him to focus on himself. It was all about him. And, he just hugged me and kissed me. I really love my husband with all my heart. Because, he is so good to me, I am determine to strive everyday to be an awesome wife to him.

My husband is such an encourager to me. He always lifts me up. He tells me that I can do anything. He acknowledges my potential. He is my cheerleader. He is my fan. And, I thank him for that. I listen to other women complain about their husbands and I thank God for mine, and I really try not to get in that mine frame with them. First, because I know better and second I do not have anything to complain about. My husband is good to me. And, it would be a sin to complain.

When I read the word of how in Ephesians 5:22- "when it speaks about wives being submitted to your husbands as unto the Lord." I can truly say that it is easy to be submitted to my husband because he truly strives to love me as "Christ loves the church (Eph.5: 25)". My husband's goal and purpose in life is to the be the man of God he is called to be, and also to be a good provider to his family; and to be an awesome husband and father to us.

We talk a lot about how we can better ourselves in our walk with Christ. We truly strive to be the best we can to model godliness to our children. That is why I say how did I get so lucky?

However, I do believe God knew what I needed in a man. He found me someone to compliment me. To complete me in every sense of the word. Guy is my soul mate. I love him and I tell him that everyday. Every moment that we spent together is precious.

So, today I encourage you to love your husband. Truly love every aspect of him. To love his accomplishments because in true essence his accomplishments is your accomplishments. Today, love him with every fiber of your being. Show your husband the love that God has shown you.

An Ode to Fathers.

2007-06-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

I know that Father's Day is coming up soon. And, I noticed that Father's Day does not get the same recognition it gets as of Mother's Day. However, contrary to the popular vote, I do believe and know that there are good fathers and husbands out there who are doing their best and beyond, to be the best fathers and husbands they can be to their love ones. And, I think that they should be honored for their great effort and accomplishments.

So, today I tip my hat to you all and say thank you!! Thank you for being here when others are not. Thank you for being great providers and protectors for your love ones and not complaining about doing so. Thank you for showing love and being involve in your children lives. Thank you for showing interest in your spouse wants, needs, and desire. Thank you for just being a great Dad!!

Thank you to my own husband whom I love dearly. He is more than enough to me. I thank him for being a loving and caring soul to us all. Thank you Guy for being my beloved husband and father to our children.

HAPPY FATHER' S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS AND HUSBANDS IN THE WORLD TODAY!!

Wisdom Keys

2007-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

1. Every problem is a wisdom problem
-Decide who you will teach and you will remember.

2. Your pain decides your goal
-Your reaction to your pain is a portrait of your character.

3. Your goal decides your focus
-What you see feuls your desire.

4. Your focus decides your passion
-Never put in front of you what doesn't belong in you.

5. Your passion chooses your mentor

6. Your mentor decides your wisdom
- Your mentor is not your cheerleader but your coach.

7. Your wisdom selects your relationships
-bad relationships:
1-those who feed your doubts
2-those who feed your greed
3-those who feed your fear
4-those who feed your rebellion
5-those who feed your weakness

8. Your relationships decides how you see yourself
-You cannot out perform yourself portrait.
-Self talk is crucial to renew your mind.

9. Your self-portrait determines your attitude.
10. Your attitude determines your access.
11. Your access decides your opportunity.
12. Your enemies decides your prompotions.
13. Your excellence decides your recognition.
14. Your faith decides your miracles and not your needs.

By Pastor Fowlers.

When my best friend shared these notes by her pastor with me. I had to quickly write them down. These key points spoke loudly to me. It just allowed me to re-evulate some things in my life. It gave me a better perspective. I was able to start renewing my thought patterns and my attitude about certain things in my life. And, my eyes and heart was open a bit more to the possbility. So, I shared them with you. Maybe you might be going through something and need some direction. Why not start with these wisdom keys? And, see how they aid in giving you a brighter perspective on things.

Determined

2007-06-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

We sometimes forget that life is short. That we are only here for a moment.

I was reminded of that when I celebrated my son's fourth birthday. As I watched his excitement of his Thomas the train cake coming before him and how happy he was. I am taken back to when he was just a little tiny baby in my arms. I remember the agony of bringing him into this world. My labor with him was so long and hard. It was to the point where the doctors decided to do a c-section with him because he was just not coming out. After delivering him, he was in the intensive care unit for while, so they could stabilize his insulin levels. With my son I had gestational diabetes. So, they needed to see that he can stabilize his insulin on his on. I was terrified. I started to cry because I wondered if he would come home with me when I left the hospital. I remember going to the intensive care unit where he was. The nurse telling me to talk to him. So, as I started talking to him I started crying and telling him of how much I loved him and how I needed him to be strong and pull through. And, I went back to my room and prayed. Then, that following day the nurse told me that they will be bringing him to me. I was so revealed and blessed. I finally had a chance to hold him in my arms. He was so handsome with so much hair.

Now, he is 4 years of age and I can still remember. That is something I do not ever want to forget. Being a mother is a wonderful job and huge responsibility. God's given us the opportunity to mold little people into HIS image. They are our treasure. Our legency for tomorrow. And, that is something I do not want to take lightly. As a mother, I do strive daily to pour into my children my best that God have given me. These children are the future for tomorrow and I want to equip them with everything that God has enstore for them.

I think how lucky my kids have it. To be born into a family who is saved and filled the awesome power of God is a miracle in itself. Especially, in the world that we live in. I look at the news and see and hear the terrible things that the children of today are facing daily and it hurts my heart. That is why I am so determine to raise my children to be focus on God. I am doing my best to live a life worthy for them to see and say they too love the Lord with all their hearts. My prayer is constantly Lord shape me into your image so my children can see your glory.

I believe my children our purposed for greatness, and in that lives will be saved. I can see it. That is why for me as a mother, I strive to live each day as it is my last because tomorrow is not promised to me. But within those days to show God true in my life.

God's People

2007-06-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

Who are God's people?

They are ordinary people with exuding power. They are faith filled, enduring, loving people who in the face of obstacles hold their ground. They are victorious when troubles arise. They are conquers when persecuted. They are humble and not boastful. They are forgiving, kind, and gentle. They are strong pillars of salt. They are solid rocks, good soil, and are anointed by God. They posse strong faith. They look at a problem and press on. They are not double minded instead their minds are renewed everyday.

Who are these people I am speaking about?

They are the ones who rise to the occasion. They are the ones who are strong and encouraged. They are the ones whose hearts are bent towards God. They are the ones who please HIM and seek HIM with all their hearts. They are the people who delight in the HIM at all times. They are the people whose spirit produce love, joy, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control. They are the ones who are wise, are understanding, and our knowledgeable. They reverence HIM. They trust HIM and lean not to their own understanding.

Then how will you know them?

That my friend is easy because God's people look like HIM!!

Changes Come

2007-06-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

No one really likes change but eventually we all have to go through it. I think the reason being is because for one is fear and second it hurts to change. It brings us at a place where we are not familiar with. To not have control over a situation makes us vulnerable. It leaves us open to the unexpected. Change just the word itself makes us jumpy. Well, for me it does. Because it means I would now have to process everything and adapt to the new circumstance. For me, change is letting go of my safety net and throwing myself open to the road. It means adjusting to something and not knowing its outcome. For example, just doing this blog is nerve racking for me.

However, for most change brings an excitement. New beginning. A fresh start. Wanting something different to happen, or even looking for something new to come their way. While the rest of us dredge the change with each step. So, my question is, do we embrace change coming or chase it away? That is something you have to answer for yourself? However, I will have to embrace it.

Change is not always a negative thing it could be beneficial. Change will allow us to grow and mature. It will help us to embrace the unthinkable, the miraculous, and unexplainable. Change allows us to boarden our scope, and I know our hearts and minds are better for it. Change is something we will face daily. Our world is changing everyday in front of our eyes. Come to look at it, we change as well. For example, with age comes change, with time comes change, our physical being is consistently changing. Our emotions as well. So, again I ask will we through ourselves to change or hide from it? For me, I think that change is what makes us or breaks us. So think about it?