germs

it is only the middle of october and everyone in our house is on steroids and antibiotics! yes, you are reading this correctly- all five of us have been to the E.N.T. in the past week! he is GREAT, so if you need a good doc. i would be happy to share his name.
this is not a good way to start off the cold/flu season. i am praying that we are getting all of our sickness out of the way! i absolutely hate it when my kids are under the weather! i don't like to see them so miserable. everybody did look better this a.m. and fortunately made it to school!
Happy Healthy Wednesday!

a slice of our life

Trevar has been in violin lessons for 3 weeks now, and already has learned 7 songs. He has also learned those same songs on the piano all by himself. He is working so hard in school!

The other night we were all curled up together reading a stack of new fun books. In the middle of the story Trev reaches over and gives me a huge kiss on the cheek. He then said, "Mom, thanks for reading me books still. I know that I am 10 and can read them on my own, but I am glad you still read to me."

Conversation the other a.m.

Chris: Mom I am so glad you could not have a baby. Sometimes I still can't believe that you picked me! How did you know that you wanted me?

Me: I saw a picture of you and your sister and brother in a rocking chair and I just fell in love with you. From the minute I saw that picture I did everything I could to make sure that you were my baby. God really answered my prayers. (I couldn't really say much as I was so choked up.)

Chris: I think I might adopt or have a baby someday.

A few weeks ago at school everyone was given a T-shirt for Spirit Friday. The teacher did not have enough, and the last little girl that did not get one started throwing a fit. Chris just nonchalantly got up and gave her his T-shirt. He told his teacher he could just get one a different day. My boy has such a tender heart!

Do you de-gree?

Last night we were driving home from Home Team and were cutting it close for bedtime so we said our "Goodnights" in the car. As Chris was praying Cassi kept on saying Amen, Amen, Amen. When he finished praying he asked her why she was saying Amen? She said she was de-greeing with him. I thought Doug and I were going to die laughing! So, our family has yet another new word. I am thinking the Connelly definition would be to agree with just a little disagreement in there as well. Maybe like you agree about 95%.

A few days ago Cassi was singing, "Mary had a Little Lamb" constantly. My mom and her friend stopped by and she literally sang it 15 times. I was telling Doug about it later that night, and he started laughing. Cassi was singing that a.m. and Doug had told her that she had a beautiful voice and sang that song wonderfully. She totally lit up when he told her that. I guess positive reinforcement really does work!
I LOVE these people! They are the reason my life is so rich!

the desert

this is not my first trip through this dry and desolate land. i have been here before, just not for for this same exact reason. i have learned a few lessons in the desert, lessons i will never forget as long as i live. i am thankful for these lessons.
this trip seems to be different than the past. in fact, i have never felt such intimacy with God. until last night i actually had a time line of how long this trip was going to last. boy was that thought buried in the sand!

let's just say that God truly spoke to me in Bible Study last night. (i am completing, "Discerning the Voices of God," by Priscilla Shirer). as i watched the video last night there was nothing new or earth shattering that i heard, and i definitely did not catch a camel and high tail it out of here. however, God truly spoke to me and showed me the reasons why i am here, and what i need to do to learn the lessons/life applications He has for me. i am taking my eyes off of this season, and focusing on what God is doing in my life. you see, just like moses i am looking for my burning bush on a daily basis. i am looking for "supernatural makers." when i see them i am not going to rationalize them, instead give the glory to God.

when priscilla stated that, "Bushes don't burn in the palace they burn in the desert, i actually thanked the Lord for this trip. i asked Him again to reveal to me His truth so I could get out of here glorifying Him. i have to admit that at times just like in Luke 24 i have been so overwhelmed with my circumstance that i have failed to recognize that Jesus is right here with me!

just like moses i am so thankful for the intimacy that i am experiencing with my Savior this trip through the desert. i pray for the humility to make it out of here praising him!

thank you Lord for the desert and a few good reasons to get out of here closer to you:

Philipians 3:13,14

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."