Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Homeschooling
This makes me want to have 10 children! This sweet girl is amazing on so many levels! She loves to learn, sing, dance, get messy, read books, and potty trained herself! Oh how thankful I am for her😃
Sunday, September 1, 2013
The Cost
There is a cost for every choice that we make. Some are good, some are bad, and some are both good and bad. It is those "good and bad" costs that I struggle with. Being a missionary I am finding that there are lots of choices to make and it seems that every choice has a good and bad cost. For example: I have this pull in me to hurry and sign Grace up for ballet classes because she will not be able to experience them again for a while once we are in Haiti, and then I want to get memberships to everything so she can experience the aquarium, zoo, arboretum, and splash parks. Then there is the fact that we live in Dallas, TX and most of our family is in New Hampshire and North Carolina. We don't have the funds to travel all the time so we are missing out on cousins, nieces and nephews being born, family events, and worse the passing of loved ones. I feel like we are missing out on super great relationships we could be having, because we are here in Dallas doing what we feel the Lord is calling us to do (insert pity party here).
That sounds selfish right? I mean I should be content with what I have and where God has called me. This period of life is only but a moment and before I know it I will be in Haiti, finally where God has called me to be! I can be established and start to put down some roots. Then I can be content in where I am, right?
Did you catch that? That whole pity party statement was all about me and how I think things should go, and how I can do what is best for me and my family. If I can only get this, this, and this, then I will be content! Oh silly Becca! If you only understood.....
Luke 9: 57-62 hit me like a ton of bricks! It was the understanding that I needed to put the "cost of following Christ" into perspective. See in Luke 9:57-62 Luke is telling us of two men who are walking with Jesus and telling Him that they will follow Him. One man tells Jesus that he will follow just as soon as he buries his father, and the other man tells Jesus that he will follow right after he says good bye to his family. Jesus response to these men in verse 62 is "No one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God." Ouch! Jesus summons to discipleship take precedence over everything else. If we are going to follow Him, then we need to DO IT! Do it without stipulations, without complaining, and without questioning! If there is anything these 6 years in TX have taught me it is that Jesus has us! He will not abandon us. We have story after story of God's amazing, miraculous provisions for us. How can I remember these, yet forget that He is going to take care of our needs in the future? I don't need to worry about cramming in everything so we can have these experiences now, because I believe without a doubt that God has something way better then ballet classes in store for Grace, and way better things in store for my family then I could every create by myself.
So there you have it. The choice of following Christ seems to have good and bad costs, but there is no other choice that I would make then to give up myself and follow Jesus!
That sounds selfish right? I mean I should be content with what I have and where God has called me. This period of life is only but a moment and before I know it I will be in Haiti, finally where God has called me to be! I can be established and start to put down some roots. Then I can be content in where I am, right?
Did you catch that? That whole pity party statement was all about me and how I think things should go, and how I can do what is best for me and my family. If I can only get this, this, and this, then I will be content! Oh silly Becca! If you only understood.....
Luke 9: 57-62 hit me like a ton of bricks! It was the understanding that I needed to put the "cost of following Christ" into perspective. See in Luke 9:57-62 Luke is telling us of two men who are walking with Jesus and telling Him that they will follow Him. One man tells Jesus that he will follow just as soon as he buries his father, and the other man tells Jesus that he will follow right after he says good bye to his family. Jesus response to these men in verse 62 is "No one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God." Ouch! Jesus summons to discipleship take precedence over everything else. If we are going to follow Him, then we need to DO IT! Do it without stipulations, without complaining, and without questioning! If there is anything these 6 years in TX have taught me it is that Jesus has us! He will not abandon us. We have story after story of God's amazing, miraculous provisions for us. How can I remember these, yet forget that He is going to take care of our needs in the future? I don't need to worry about cramming in everything so we can have these experiences now, because I believe without a doubt that God has something way better then ballet classes in store for Grace, and way better things in store for my family then I could every create by myself.
So there you have it. The choice of following Christ seems to have good and bad costs, but there is no other choice that I would make then to give up myself and follow Jesus!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Life is like pacifiers
I don't know about your house, but in mine pacifiers are either every where or no where. Lydia only takes a pacifier when she is tired and once she is asleep she spits it out. Now where that pacifier lands is beyond me. I may see it land somewhere, but those suckers bounce. I don't mean they bounce just a couple inches away....they bounce to the other side of the room! Usually way under the book shelf, or crib..you know where it takes you forever to retrieve it. Anyway, pacifiers are either every where and I know that I can easily grab one when Lydia is ready for a nap or melting down, or they are just no where to be seen and I have 2.5 seconds to find one, clean it, and get it into Lydia's mouth or we are in total melt down mode for the next half hour.
Yesterday was one of those days...I couldn't find a paci anywhere! I finally found one and that thing stayed with me the whole day! I knew where it was and I was not about to let it out of my sight! This morning on the other hand there were pacis everywhere! I mean where did these things come from? They certainly were not on the counter yesterday, or in Lydia's car seat, or in her bed. I am pretty sure there are paci elves that take them just to play mean tricks on this tired momma. Where ever they came from I was so thankful that just about every room I went into I found another paci! I now have sanitized pacis in a container on my counter :) Hopefully they stay there where I can find them tomorrow!
This whole pacifier concept got me thinking this morning. Our life right now is kinda like the pacifier game we often play. Some times it feels like we have nothing and are just barley hanging on, and out of the blue we have a bunch! It is such a sweet reminder that we don't need to worry about what we have, want, or need. The Lord has never left us needing anything! We are abundantly blessed by sweet friends and family that encourage us through hard days and love on our sweet girls. And moments like those fill us up in a way no amount of money or material things ever could.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Yesterday was one of those days...I couldn't find a paci anywhere! I finally found one and that thing stayed with me the whole day! I knew where it was and I was not about to let it out of my sight! This morning on the other hand there were pacis everywhere! I mean where did these things come from? They certainly were not on the counter yesterday, or in Lydia's car seat, or in her bed. I am pretty sure there are paci elves that take them just to play mean tricks on this tired momma. Where ever they came from I was so thankful that just about every room I went into I found another paci! I now have sanitized pacis in a container on my counter :) Hopefully they stay there where I can find them tomorrow!
This whole pacifier concept got me thinking this morning. Our life right now is kinda like the pacifier game we often play. Some times it feels like we have nothing and are just barley hanging on, and out of the blue we have a bunch! It is such a sweet reminder that we don't need to worry about what we have, want, or need. The Lord has never left us needing anything! We are abundantly blessed by sweet friends and family that encourage us through hard days and love on our sweet girls. And moments like those fill us up in a way no amount of money or material things ever could.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Laundry
Remember this post back in September: Laundry? Well I am pleased to announce that just two months ago I had to replenish my supplies! That's right!! 7 months of laundry detergent for about $30! I add a scoop of Oxi Clean to my loads so I have had to buy that about every other month. I have lost track of how many loads I have done, but it is a lot!
I have stuck to the original recipe and the only thing I have changed is I add all the ingredients into one pot after I have melted the soap. It instantly becomes liquid gel and stays that way! This is awesome detergent and has been put to the test! Let me tell you, anyone who has done cloth diapers knows that you just don't mess around with laundry detergents. Those guys need to be cleaner then clean, and kept up with or else you get a stinky, non- absorbent mess! I have done countless loads of stinky, messy cloth diapers and they come out clean and smelling fresh! I have used a few different detergents from organic nuts, to tide and this homemade detergent holds its own.
So all that to say, I am super excited with a money saving success! I am in the process of trying out homemade cleaners. I am please with one that I use on my hardwood floors and tried a new bathroom cleaner tonight. There is something about making your own cleaner that not only saves money, but you are in control of the chemicals in your house. Love that!
I have stuck to the original recipe and the only thing I have changed is I add all the ingredients into one pot after I have melted the soap. It instantly becomes liquid gel and stays that way! This is awesome detergent and has been put to the test! Let me tell you, anyone who has done cloth diapers knows that you just don't mess around with laundry detergents. Those guys need to be cleaner then clean, and kept up with or else you get a stinky, non- absorbent mess! I have done countless loads of stinky, messy cloth diapers and they come out clean and smelling fresh! I have used a few different detergents from organic nuts, to tide and this homemade detergent holds its own.
So all that to say, I am super excited with a money saving success! I am in the process of trying out homemade cleaners. I am please with one that I use on my hardwood floors and tried a new bathroom cleaner tonight. There is something about making your own cleaner that not only saves money, but you are in control of the chemicals in your house. Love that!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Dance Party
Grace loves music and dress up. So today we combined these two things and just went crazy! Crazy like dancing on the couch and coffee table while swinging our scarves and waving our hands around crazy. Grace thought it was so awesome she asked to do it again after dinner.
I love these sweet moments!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Currently
Currently I am sitting on my couch listening to the monitor connected to my sweet little girl's room where she is having a conversation with her BFF Ella. They are talking about it getting dark out, saying goodnight to everything in her room (including the bookshelf), pretending to snore, and giggles galore! It's precious!
I have a sunburn from going to our neighborhood pool twice this week. I always put sunscreen on the girls, but totally forget about myself until I am driving home and can feel the heat radiating from my skin. These girls are fish and keep asking to go back.
There is paint on my arm from finger painting last night, and I even showered this morning!
My feet and back are just a little sore from carrying Lydia around in the ergo and chasing two giddy girls around the zoo. They found a gorilla eating a snack and thought to was the greatest thing since the penguin they just saw swimming under the water.
I have nail polish (blue) on the wrist from the painting party we had after dinner. Ella wanted blue fingernails and pink toenails (Sorry Kendall, I tried to convince her to choose different colors), and Grace wanted blue fingernails, and sparkly toenails.
There is popcorn in every crevasse of my couch, and on my floor from our movie night. It was our first official movie night! We had a blast laughing and squeezing each other :)
I cannot even begin to explain how much my heart grows with every moment I get to spend with these girls! Providing them with new experiences, teachable moments, and just being able to have fun with them makes my heart swell! I pray we get so many more moments like these where I sit down after a long day and tear up over the gratefulness I feel. Even when it's 10:00pm and Lydia is still awake :)
I have a sunburn from going to our neighborhood pool twice this week. I always put sunscreen on the girls, but totally forget about myself until I am driving home and can feel the heat radiating from my skin. These girls are fish and keep asking to go back.
There is paint on my arm from finger painting last night, and I even showered this morning!
My feet and back are just a little sore from carrying Lydia around in the ergo and chasing two giddy girls around the zoo. They found a gorilla eating a snack and thought to was the greatest thing since the penguin they just saw swimming under the water.
I have nail polish (blue) on the wrist from the painting party we had after dinner. Ella wanted blue fingernails and pink toenails (Sorry Kendall, I tried to convince her to choose different colors), and Grace wanted blue fingernails, and sparkly toenails.
There is popcorn in every crevasse of my couch, and on my floor from our movie night. It was our first official movie night! We had a blast laughing and squeezing each other :)
I cannot even begin to explain how much my heart grows with every moment I get to spend with these girls! Providing them with new experiences, teachable moments, and just being able to have fun with them makes my heart swell! I pray we get so many more moments like these where I sit down after a long day and tear up over the gratefulness I feel. Even when it's 10:00pm and Lydia is still awake :)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Making A Mess
Today I needed to run outside to hang the load of diapers that just came out of the wash onto the line. We had just finished making brownies and Grace and Ella were licking the bowl, Lydia was content in her bouncy seat, and the dogs were actually calm outside. It was a perfect moment to run outside and hang the diapers real quick!
I booked it outside, hung them quickly (maybe 2 min), ran back inside to find that the girls were not in the kitchen where I left them. I listen closely and hear faint giggles coming from the bathroom..... I snuck around the corner to peek my head into the bathroom unnoticed. The girls were washing their hands and faces off while making up a song :). It was precious! Have I mentioned how much I love being a mommy?!?!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Fear
Can you remember your first fear? I think I can. Fear has been the theme in my heart the last couple months. Luke finally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and we are filled with "what's next" questions. We are following (blindly it seems) the Lord's direction and heading to Crossworld next weekend for two weeks to candidate with them. This is a scary step into the unknown. I am scared about leaving my girls with people I don't know for longer then they have every been with a stranger before, I am worried that they will not adjust well and that will take a toll out of us, and worried maybe this isn't what we are suppose to do and we are wasting God's time. I am worried.....I do worry... a lot...too much.
During all my worrying my sweet little Grace has also discovered fear! My "no fear" little girl has learned what it is to be scared of something. Now, she isn't scared of jumping off the arm of the couch onto a pile of pillows (even though she has fallen onto the floor instead a couple times), or standing on the edge of a water fountain, or the edge of a pool to jump in. No, she is afraid of snuffleupagus from Sesame Street, and Elmo's nose when he is acting like Pinocchio. Poor baby screamed a blood curtailing scream last night when Elmo told a lie and his nose started to grow. She held her own nose screaming "no" and clutched my leg. Even though she was clearly terrified she kept asking me to watch it all the way through to the end. She wanted to go through the scariness and see how that situation ended. Once Elmo told the truth and his nose returned to his face, Grace grew calm and announced that it was all better.
I learned a lesson from her last night. Even though I am worried I need to see this through clinging to Jesus and following His way. In the end I know it will be all better :)
So thankful for my sweet, tender Grace. Being a mom ROCKS!
In other news: Look who is sitting up now! She is almost able to sit up completely on her own without pillows! She is growing up too fast.. 6 months tomorrow :)
During all my worrying my sweet little Grace has also discovered fear! My "no fear" little girl has learned what it is to be scared of something. Now, she isn't scared of jumping off the arm of the couch onto a pile of pillows (even though she has fallen onto the floor instead a couple times), or standing on the edge of a water fountain, or the edge of a pool to jump in. No, she is afraid of snuffleupagus from Sesame Street, and Elmo's nose when he is acting like Pinocchio. Poor baby screamed a blood curtailing scream last night when Elmo told a lie and his nose started to grow. She held her own nose screaming "no" and clutched my leg. Even though she was clearly terrified she kept asking me to watch it all the way through to the end. She wanted to go through the scariness and see how that situation ended. Once Elmo told the truth and his nose returned to his face, Grace grew calm and announced that it was all better.
I learned a lesson from her last night. Even though I am worried I need to see this through clinging to Jesus and following His way. In the end I know it will be all better :)
So thankful for my sweet, tender Grace. Being a mom ROCKS!
In other news: Look who is sitting up now! She is almost able to sit up completely on her own without pillows! She is growing up too fast.. 6 months tomorrow :)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Crossworld
In less then a month we will be packing up and heading to Kansas City, Missouri for two weeks to candidate with Crossworld. It seems a bit surreal that this part of our adventure is starting up. Weren't we just packing up and moving to Dallas for Luke to attend DTS? Now 6 years later, we have two children, graduated from DTS, and starting our new adventure towards Haiti! Wild!
I have mixed feelings about this trip. I am anxious...oh so anxious about the toll it will take on our daughters, and how much more exhausting it will be on this already tired mommy. I am excited to finally get started! There are so many balls in the air right now and so many decisions we are tossing around, that taking a step forward just feels so good. To just move forward and see what the Lord has in store for us makes me feel a little lighter.
I have mixed feelings about this trip. I am anxious...oh so anxious about the toll it will take on our daughters, and how much more exhausting it will be on this already tired mommy. I am excited to finally get started! There are so many balls in the air right now and so many decisions we are tossing around, that taking a step forward just feels so good. To just move forward and see what the Lord has in store for us makes me feel a little lighter.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Photo Card
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