Phil. 4: 8--Slowing to see

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I don't remember much about last Christmas. I do remember driving, in the snow, by myself, to the hospital because I was dehydrated from throwing up so much. I couldn't keep anything down. I remember thinking: this is the lowest of the low.

I remember being in bed--all day and all night--my trash can by my bed for vomiting. I couldn't get up if I tried. I was sick. Real sick. Christmas Day I ate Fruit Loops for breakfast (it was the only thing I felt I could eat), laid down on the couch, watched the children open their gifts and them promptly ran to the bathroom, projectile vomiting all the Fruit Loops. It was a horrible time.

This Christmas I'm feeling much better. And I've got a little four-month-old baby who makes me forget about those dark days of hypermesis. It was the worst pregnancy sickness I've ever had. I felt so alone, so sick, so helpless. But this new baby--oh he brings me much joy.

I am relishing the Christmas season this year. I am slowing down, taking it all in. I am so thankful I can celebrate it in health.

Philippians 4:8 is written on a splatted note card above my sink. I look at it while washing dishes or in passing. I try to obey the Lord when He tells us to be thankful in all things. That we are to set our minds on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

When we do this, in the midst of trouble or heartache, or pain, or just daily living, our eyes are opened to His abundant way of life. We weren't made to focus on our troubles. We can find things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy in every situation.

Join Ann as she explores gratitude at The Gratitude Community.

Hello!

I realize I've neglected this little place for quite some time. There are a lot of reasons why. I had a baby in July--my fifth--and that has taken up a lot of my time!! Having a fifth child has been a big adjustment for me. But I think I've found my new groove, and hopefully it will just get more and more comfortable. I will say I am loving being a mother to five children. So many little people to occupy my days with, to laugh with, to cry with, to love on. I am so blessed!
Another reason why I think I haven't been here more often is because I am processing so much LIFE right now. This past year has been a time of learning so much about myself and about the Lord. It has truly been a paradigm shifting experience where I have examined so many things about myself and my life to make sure I am truly living it for Him. It has been painful, joyful, and enlightening all at once. There's still so much I would like to say, but find I don't have the words for it just yet. I thought about quitting blogging, but realized I've already poured so much of myself into this place that I don't want to give it up. So I'll continue. But I'm not sure how yet.
And lastly, I think I've neglected this blog because I have just been living and enjoying LIFE. When you experience deep darkness in your life, the flip side is that you become more grateful, more faithful, more joyful, more GRACE-ful. Romans 8:28 "For God works ALL THINGS to the good of those that love Him."
Not sure how much I will be posting this month. But I plan to be back on a semi-regular basis starting in January. But then of course I could post every day next week! Funny how that happens. Just wanted to pop in and say hello to all my readers and friends who have been a part of this blog. You all have enriched my life so much with the connections. Thank you and I will be back soon!!

Weekend reads

When You're Overwhelmed
I love this. Fluidity--and His grace.

Surrender: Find God

"I had it all, but I didn't have a life" Interesting read.

The revolutionary next door Love this. All of it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

interruptions (Repost from August 2006)

For some reason, I wake up most mornings expecting that my days will go smoothly and that the mini-goals I have presented in my head will go as planned. On the whole, I do not expect interruptions, in fact, frequently, I dismiss them as a bother.

But Romans 12: 1-2 has been in my thoughts lately:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."


Which makes me think: what if the interruptions are part of God's will?

When I think of "God's will"--I think of the future--His plan. Big ideas and decisions. But life is lived out in moments, and it's the details of those moments that matter.

So today I chose to (try) to look at my "interruptions" as part of His will. Seeing how they fit in the great scheme of things. If I didn't, some things I would have missed:

~my daughter interrupting me in dinner to show me her fairy house she built outside. If I would have reacted differently, she might have decided to leave me be and not show me her creation again.

~daughter 3 interrupting me for a little "love time". If I would have dismissed her she might not have gotten her "love cup" full.

~my husband calling me to tell me he "just wanted to hear my voice." Nice, right?

~and lastly, best of all, daughter 2 interrupting me while I am on the phone (which she knows is not ok, but did it anyway) to tell me she "asked Jesus into her heart that day when daddy was outside with [son] and I was in the kitchen doing work".

I was on hold, anyway.

So, I hung it up, kneeled down on her level, looked her right in the eyes and said, "I know you did, honey. I know you did. "


I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion"("This belongs to it, that does not") Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion, other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives. 
~Elisabeth Elliot

Revisiting this post after reading this great devotional here.

Words of wisdom...

One of the best things we can do for each other is letting each other know that you are being thought of, prayed for.

Thanks, Elise.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Image from here

Priorities

It's funny what having five children will do to you: life speeds up quite a bit, things are way more hectic, and the workload has more than doubled. But, on the inside, there comes a quiet peace--a realization of what is truly important in our lives....forcing me to slow down and treasure what really matters.

It is with this knowledge that I would like to share some of my own personal priorities. I say my "own, personal priorities" because *your* priorities might look entirely different. I think it's important to say that my priorities have only come about through deep searching with the Lord, and hearing His voice speak to me through moments of quiet reflection and prayer. That is essentially what I am urging you to do: seek Him. My list follows as merely a framework as to what your own personal priorities could look like.

So, herewith my list:

1. my relationship with God. I have worked really hard over the past year to learn to trust the Lord better. As I have mentioned before, I suffered deep "burnout" last summer, and can attribute it to not trusting the Lord, first and foremost. I work really hard to relinquish my days to Him, moment by moment and day by day. Often my days look nothing like I planned. It is here where I find His burden is easy and light. I try to make sure that my number one priority in my life is my relationship with the Lord.

2. Me. It seems odd to say that I come next. I struggle with this. For years and years I put myself last. The needs of my family came before my own. I now see this is a recipe for disaster. (For me.) When all is said and done, I have to make time for *me*, because with five children it will never just *happen*. What do I mean by time for me? Well, as I said earlier, this is something I personally consulted the Lord about and truly feel He revealed to me what I need to do to take care of myself:

~sleep. I need to sleep. So I go to bed as early as I can, and try to take a rest in the middle of the day.

~quiet/time to think. This is essential for me. God made me this way, personally. If it is missing in my life, then I do not function at optimum. So I try to make time for this every day.

~eating well/drinking water/taking vitamins. This is also essential. When I am stressed or busy, I do not eat. This is not healthy. I often have to ask myself during the day: "Andrea, have you eaten?" If I have not, I drop everything to take care of that.

~Outdoors/simple exercise. 

3. my husband and I. My relationship with my husband comes before my children. I say this because it could easily get swept under the rug with the varied and urgent needs of my children.

For this reason, we have started going out on regular dates once a week. We have made an effort to actually *leave the house* and it makes all the difference! My relationship with my husband is precious. I want to make sure I let him know that.

4. Last but certainly not least--my children. It makes me feel uncomfortable that my children are at the bottom of my list. It seems....counter intuitive to me as a mother. But I am confident that if all the other priorities are taken care of then their needs will be met. Of course just because they are at the bottom of the list does not mean they are ignored....it's all about balance. My priority list is merely a framework of how my days should go.

Again, this is something that has come about through much prayer and listening to God. Your priority list might look very different. (And it should!) I wanted to merely share what the Lord has done in my life, in case someone is struggling and needs a place to start.

For me, my priorities are in the end about *relationship*. 

It's been awhile since I've made a Sabbath meal for my family.

I'm just now feeling like I am starting my "new normal" after having a baby.

I forgot what a gift it is to prepare the family Sabbath dinner.

I am so blessed to be able to do it. I missed it.

I am blessed to have a content baby, children playing outside, husband making a fire, and yummy food to be enjoyed.

Menu:

Roasted Chicken

French Style Green Beans

Roasted Potatoes

Mixed Green Salad with Celery, Pears, Cranberries and Walnuts

Bread Rolls

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. ~Ephesians 3:20