The Lord, freewill, and more

In talking about doing what God wants vs what I want to do. The question was asked,  "Does God still love and support me when I am doing what I want?" 
Think about when babies are learning to walk. As a parent, we watch the babies tumble and stumble while we stand back. We let them fall and bump around but we are always close enough to catch them before the truly hurt themselves (like falling down stairs). They are always within reach even if they don't realize it. Isn't that so true with God and us? He guides us giving us the safest and best path to follow and yet we do what we want. As we do what we want, we fall and get bruised and injured. Yet, He is behind us lovingly protecting us so we don't slip off the edge and go too far.
He will not let us endure more than we can bear. He let's us screw up because that is free will. And still as an amazing Father, he protects.

We are home sick today so we are watching church at gateway. While James is getting the computer hooked up, he comes across the red case of dvds.  So he says oh both Transformers in here. And Jeremiah pipes up "can we watch Transformers? It's my favorite movie of all time!!!".

Just one of those moments when we love our 3 yr old

Life is a journey & you can't give up

The kitchen is almost clean, the living room is a mess with kids’ toys everywhere, the basement has yet another project started, and the kids are playing "peacefully." 
Reading 1 Peter 1 last week, the message translated a verse that said, life is a journey and it must be travel with a deep consciousness of God.  That is ringing so true!  Last Monday, I was hastily walking through the San Pedro Sula airport after 5 days in Honduras on a mission trip.   My transition home was hard (satan was trying to have his way with me) and I just wanted to give up.  At one time, I said no more growing! Now after the dust as settled, the Lord was keeping my head above water and I realize more and more how the life I live in the USA keeps me distracted from my Lord. Last Tuesday, instead of a peaceful relaxing day I hit the road running between the kids and teaching at the gym.  There was no time for reflection.  No time to regroup and the whole week was crazy busy. The result was that my spirit was a crazy mess.  Only today did I force myself to have the "quiet" time  my spirit was craving. The difference is unbelievable. So this is the challenge - to get more of Christ - and less of everything that distracts from Him.  It's a fight that I am ready to fight! 

Chaos is breaking loose..... 

hasta más tarde

5 mile run

From 4.13.11 (just posting it today!) In my infinite wisdom, I signed up for a half marathon in June. It seemed like a good idea. Afterall, I was putting good milage on the treadmill weekly, had motivation, and felt great.  So why is it that I pay the money and I run smack into the wall?   Motivation gone and strength are gone. The pressure is on, it is now a HAVE to not just a want to and the fight to overcome the mental barrier has began.

Spring is FAST approaching....

As a hard-core fall and winter gal, I find myself longing for open windows and warm temps.  This is because I need to get the toddler (almost a preschooler) outside.  The energy a 2 yr old boy generates needs to be harvested and sold!  He is crazy. And like all kids comes up with the darnest things to say like today, “Mommy I need to email”   Or his complete joy and surprise when I come home.  I would love to know what goes on in that little brain of his…

So Christmas, January, February, and March have come and gone since my last post.  God has done and is continuing to do so much in our lives.   It started in December as I was enjoying a sweet cup of coffee.  God through my thoughts clearly told me that I need to slow down. Slow down or die got my attention.  I stepped out of all extras, slowed down in the job, and really tired to choose carefully what we did. Ya know what; I was still tired at the end of the month.  So I can’t even imagine if I hadn’t slowed down. When I had been so burnt out that it would have been beyond recovery?  It was a terrifying place to be in and somewhere I don’t want to go back to.  Thankfully it was a lesson learned! Slow down and ask the Lord is our new motto.  Some times it is easier to follow than others but we keep trying!

 That’s all we can do in life is try! 

Well tonight I am off to the Honduras lock-in..   an 24 hour juice fast (which we started late because of bad time management on my part)  

Thank you Lord for not being legalistic!    

twins & naps

Wonders why my twins can't take a nap at the same time.  So Mikaela fell asleep in the swing while Bella partied in the rocker.  Now they have switched...    As long as all 3 go down this afternoon, Mommy will be happy!

who knew...

Well everyone knew if I had asked the question, "will I have time to keep up this blog" they would have screamed "NO!". Now I just have to laugh. After 1.5 hours of feeding both babies, there is a brief moment to sit and reflect. My darlings are 3 1/2 months old now. I am shocked that the months of September and October have disappeared. I vaguely remember August. In fact our 3 day stay at Hopkins is a distant memory. Too have blogged through the viral mengitis would have been good. But I would not have been able to. It was complete survival mode. Even now, its complete survival mode. I know that I am not handling this graciously as I think I should. I want to be strong and joyful but there are so many judgments running through my head that it is not fair. This twin thing is hard!!!! I just don't feel like I am up to the task of it.
My prayer: Lord, help me celebrate this beautiful mess You have allowed me to get into and find the joy in all of this because no matter what I wouldn't trade in either one of these girls. this is like my 6th rewrite that is the only reason it sounds somewhat positive and optimistic.

So something positive.... when Isabella smiles and coos, it is amazing!! She is usually so serious but has the sweetest personality! Something has to be bothering her for her to cry. And Mikaela is my party girl. When we went camping (details later) the first night, she was up til midnight, smiling and cooing away. It was adorable. Her face lights up when she smiles and she is a mover and a shaker. They have come so far. They were so little (barely 5lbs and a 6lb 7oz). They are like real babies now. Bella has filled in nicely since her preemie clothes days. I can't wait to see where we go from here.

well ...there is this gut feeling inside me telling me to get cracking. The dishwasher needs to get started, laundry moved over, floors need to be cleaned, and games to be played before one of the three wakes up requiring my attention...