Monday Madness: Journal Of A Mom

I wrote this in my journal the day after Thanksgiving:

Tuesday Tidings: Tears or Rain

Tears or Rain.

A Poem by Shelby 

I'm running, though I can not see.
My sight is clouded by the rain falling around me...

Or is it because of the tears running down my face?
I seek the One who can help me.
Who I can go to with all my worries and troubles?
But because of my sight being blurred by the tears streaming down my face, I can not see...
Or is it because of the rain falling around me?
As I run, I crash into something or Someone.
But before I can fall the Person grabs my arm.
“Why are you running, dear one?”
The voice of the Person asks.
I recognize the voice of my Beloved Heavenly Father.
Though I can not see Him through the rain and my tears, I know He is there.
He comforts me in my time of despair.
And calms me with His comforting voice.
The rain slows to a drizzle.
And my tears soon stop running.
“You have comforted me once again. How can I thank you?” I ask my Father from Heaven.
“Just come to me for all your needs and cares and I will be there for you.”
He says and starts to leave.
“ Wait! Don't go! I don't want to be alone.” I call after Him.
“I am always with you. I will neither leave you nor forsake you. For I know the plans I have for you. Plans of good and not of evil. To give you an expected end.”
He is now gone to His heavenly home.
But I know in my heart that I will never be alone.

If you missed last week's post: Sacramento Special Meetings


Until next time...

Tuesday Tidings: Sacramento Special Meetings.

Today's Tuesday's Tidings Is Brought By:

Sierra 

NOTE FROM HEIDI: Before you start reading this post, I want to preface this by saying that over the years as I have seen my girls emerge and grow as young women, there have been so many times when I have felt helpless as a parent. I know you have all been there. You see your child going through something that you wish you could take away and make easier for them. However,  you know that in order for them to grow as a person and as a Christian, they need to learn how to lean on the Lord more than you. 

I hope you enjoy reading the following blog as it was certainly a tough time we went through with Sierra but seeing how God has brought her through the other side, has been amazing and wonderful!

I believe it was two years ago, at Youth Camp, that there was a sermon on trials and how they made us stronger. How that in those times we would be closer to God. Well, I had been in a dry spot for a while at the time, so that night I prayed earnestly that God would send some trials my way. 

The year passed and I forgot about my prayer. But this year at Camp Meeting I started to have a really hard time with tuning the devil's lies out. It was easy to lean on the Lord at first, but when it got harder I got upset. 

Progressively harder trials came my way and each time I got more angry and depressed. I started to feel farther and farther away from God. Remembering to have my devotions in the morning got harder, and because of that, I wasn't getting the encouragement I needed. 

Finally, I started to get angry at God, I wasn't in a good place. A really nasty trial came, and because of where I was spiritually, I was weak. I started changing as a person. I was hurting my siblings and my mom with my actions. I withdrew myself from them and was entirely too open-eared to the devil's lies. 

Last month, it came time for Sacramento special meetings. I did not want to go, and in my cloudy sense of mind, I didn't even really know why. I assumed it was because I had a panic attack at the last youth meetings, but in reality, the devil knew God was working on me, and he was going to do everything in his power to keep me from going. However, my amazing mom wasn't going to let me get away with skipping, so I went with my dad and my other sisters. 

God spoke to me in those meetings and made me realize that the reason I felt so dry before this trial started, was because of my self-hatred. That I needed to love myself because I'm made in His image. And He reminded me who asked for these trials in the first place!

I was so ashamed of myself! God then told me that He put me through the trails I'd been through to prove to me that He loves me and would never leave me. I felt real joy, which was amazing after wasting so much time trying to find it in temporary things. 

The image that comes to my mind when I think about what I've learned is this: Outside you can find two kinds of sticks, the small ones don't break when you bend them because they move with the pressure, but the bigger ones are stiff and under pressure, they break. I realized that I was the stiff stick. What I learned is that if I don't trust God and I fight His Will, I'm eventually going to break. But if I lean on God in the hard times, He won't let me break, it will only make me stronger. The size difference represents our attitude about the pressure, when we trust our own understanding we inflate ourselves making it harder to bend. But when we don't try to understand why and trust in the Lord, we stay small. Small compared to God who has everything under control. This experience humbled me, and I can't thank God enough!!

If you missed the last Tuesday Tidings: Birthday Thanksgiving

Until next time...

Sierra

Throw Back Thursday: New Washer And Dryer 2009

This originally posted in 2009 sometime:

I am so thankful for the Love of Jesus Christ. I don't know that there are words to express just how thankful I am. If it wasn't for Christ's love, none of us would be saved and we would have no hope of Heaven. If I didn't have a hope of Heaven, I would not be able to stand the things that are thrown my way. So thankful for the Lord!

Had such a wonderful prayer meeting last night. One of the best parts being that I was actually able to pray without being interrupted. A friend took Little Mr to the nursery with her. I don't usually let him go to the nursery. However, I really trust her because she has a REALLY sharp eagle on the kids. At any rate, it was so great to pray without having to worry about the kids.

Another wonderful answer to prayer: We got a practically BRAND new matched washer and dryer set! I was actually sad to see my old ones go. We have had them almost 11 years! It's like parting with dear, dear friends who I have loved and worked with for a really long time! I mean, when you think of all the dirty kiddy clothes, husband work clothes, barfed on blankets, wet blankets, my clothing, towels, bedding, shoes....the story those appliances would be able to tell!

Here is how we came to own a practically brand new set: A week or two ago, my daughters and I realized that the dryer was not always drying. Sometimes it would, then it wouldn't. Back and forth. So the cheaper way to go would be to put in a new element. But we really didn't have the money for even that.  I have been hanging onto my dear dryer and hoping for the best. This past Saturday a friend called and asked if I wanted a gently used washer and dryer. FOR FREE! Is God AWESOME or WHAT???? They were even able to deliver them to us. Hubby got them hooked up for me tonight and I feel so blessed! God is so awesome and incredible! Gotta give Him Praise!!! Lord willing, we will be able to find a home for our old washer as it still works great. The dryer...well...it will get to become some recycled thing in the future.

A little side-note: You may have noticed that I changed the title of my Thursday Posts. They were Blast From The Crazy Past. However, in keeping with the other titles of my blog posts I decided to rename it Throw-Back Thursday. Same content, different name!

If you missed last week: Guardian Angels
Next Week: Puppy Takes A Shower

Until next time...

Have a blessed day and embrace the craziness in your life!

Heidi
Numbers 6:24-26

Tuesday Tidings: God's Love Is....

On Tuesdays you will find guest blogs by my daughters and many other people. Today's blog post is presented by McKenzie...

Enjoy!!

Tuesday Tidings: Good Luck or God's Provision?

On most Tuesdays you will find guest blogs by my daughters and many other people. 

However, today's blog is from me!

Enjoy!!

I don't know about you, but I am not a believer in "good luck" or coincidence. Rather I am a believer in:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17

and

"The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalms 84:11  

About a week ago, my four daughters and I made a trip a couple hundred miles away to go to the bridal shower of my niece who is getting married this winter. She lives in Japan, and we really wanted the chance to see her and the other women in the family.

Sunday morning we left bright and early, the trip up was fairly uneventful. Our truck engine seemed to running a little warm, but I figured it had to do with the mountains we had been traversing. I made sure the water and oil levels were good and we continued on our way.

We got to our destination in time to go to church and surprise some friends who weren't expecting to see us, which is always fun!

After lunch with friends and a beautiful bridal shower, we said goodbye to all and headed back down the road. On the way to the bridal shower, we had contacted a friend of McKenzie's who is going to college nearby and made plans to connect with her on the way home. So we headed towards our first stop of the University.

On the way, I noticed again that the engine was running warm and I was starting to get concerned. We stopped and visited with McKenzie's friend. We spent more time there than I was anticipating, but by time we started back down the road again, the engine was cooled off.

Fast forward to almost an hour down the road, things were NOT good. We were stuck on the side of the road and something was wrong. I called Peter, he wondered if our water pump was going out. We managed to limp to a rest stop and from there, it was obvious, we had a problem. One that was not going to get us over the mountains to home.

Let me stop a moment and tell you something...not one time did I doubt God's provision or care of us. Nor did I believe that we were having "bad luck" or a "bad turn of events". Not because I am some amazing person, but because God works all things to His good. Just like it says in Romans 8:28:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

After being stuck at the rest stop for a half hour or so, the phone calls among family members were going back and forth. The Lord beautifully worked it out that we were only a half hour away from Peter's brother. He ended up coming to the rest stop, where he confirmed what we suspected, the water pump. He drove us to a nearby town where Peter's sister had set us up with an amazing hotel room for the night and got us some much needed dinner.

We settled in, took showers, tried out the jacuzzi bath and just marveled at God's goodness!

I will tell you....because I am human...that at one point before going to bed, I started to send out a text to someone that I thought might help us out in the morning. I remember distinctly, the Lord staying my hand and in His sweet gentle voice telling me to stop....to rest in Him and trust for the morning. I never sent that text and God amazingly was able to do His job without my help. I hope you are smiling at my sarcasm here, because it really is amazing how many times we humans think we need to help God out! Trust me, the Great God of the Universe does NOT need our help!

To make a long story short, my daddy drove up to where we were, picked us up at the hotel and we went to the rest stop and changed out the water pump. The Lord blessed us with a place in the shade to work, it wasn't too smokey (forest fires nearby), we had all the tools we needed and no surprises happened in the changing of the water pump.

A few other things I am grateful for in regards to God's Provision:

1. I'm thankful that the Lord prompted us to visit McKenzie's friend at college. If it wasn't for that stop, we would have been in the mountains, more than likely without any cell phone coverage to get help.
2. My girls: at one point, while we were blasting the heater to help cool the engine, one of the girls said, "Let's be like Paul and Silas and sing praises to God." And we did, we sang hymns and favorite Christian choruses while we sludged along! (If you want to read more about Paul and Silas and why they sang, look up Acts 16:16-33)
3. I'm thankful for family, both sides of our family were so willing to help and be used of Him in our trial. They rejoiced with us as God answered each prayer!
4. Last and certainly not least, for my husband. He held the fort with the boys while we were gone, made sure the house was spotless and helped our foster son through his anxiety of me not being at home yet.

Honestly, there are so many more....like having toothpaste in my purse and the receptionist of the hotel giving us toothbrushes and water bottles. God provided every need, there was not one thing that we had to go without.

This morning, I asked Peter what his verse was for the day, he said the first one that came to him was:

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 

Proverbs 3:6

I have to agree....



Till next time...

Have a blessed day and embrace the craziness in your life!


Heidi

Blast From The Crazy Past: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow...

 Welcome to memories...my memories....welcome to a Blast from my Crazy Past!

 So many times while my hubby was working for 15 years at a mill, we ran into this situation. It doesn't even need a time line because it happened many times...

Midweek Minute: Or The Rocks Will Cry Out!

Welcome to the Midweek Minute

Where I talk about the here and now...

"And he answered and said unto them,

I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would 

immediently cry out."

Luke 19:40

Monday Madness: My Current "Fight" Songs...

Welcome to Monday Madness where I will talk about pretty much anything that comes to mind. From homeschooling to special needs to strange blog posts about silly objects to interviewing a family member...you never know what you might read on Monday Madness!

 Enjoy!

A couple weeks ago, I talked about apps I am currently using. One of the apps I mentioned was Spotify, which is what I use to listen to music at home and on the go. (Again, I am not being sponsored by Spotify, I just love their app!)

I decided that I would give you a list of some of my favorite songs right now. You can also follow me on Spotify if you have it. You will notice as you look at the groups that I have a very eclectic taste in music. Some you may or may not like, but they are songs that mean something to me. I am going through a personal battle right now, maybe more about that in the future. But for now, I call these my "fight songs". They are songs that give me encouragement and give me the strength to fight what is going on and remind me WHO is the WINNER of it all!

In no particular order:

The Rocks Shall Not Cry Out- Mercy's Well

All The People Said Amen- Matt Maher
Never Too Far Gone- Jordan Feliz

Born For This- Mandisa

You Brought Us Out- Gaither Vocal Band
Days Of Elijah- The Acapella Company
Hymns Mash-Up- Anthem Lights
Hymns Mash-up, Part 2- Anthem Lights
I Need Thee Every Hour- 
I Surrender All- Phillips, Craig and Dean
I'll Fly Away- Randy Travis
Cheer You On- Jordan Feliz
Victory In Jesus- Phillips, Craig and Dean
My Only Love- Matt Maher
You'll Never Be Alone- Capital Kings
It's Not Over Yet- For King And Country
Jesus Loves Me- Joey And Rory
When I'm With You- Citizen Way
Trust In You- Lauren Daigle
Beautiful Day- Jamie Grace
You're About To Climb- The Collingsworth Family
God Girl- Jamie Grace
He Is Jehovah- The Acapella Company
You're Not Alone- Owl City
Breathe- Jonny Diaz
You Put This Love In My Heart- Keith Green
Higher Ground- David Baroni
Your Great Hands- Jordan Feliz
It Is Well With My Soul- Kim Mitzo Thompson
I Love Living InLove With Jesus- The Collingsworth Family
He's A Personal Savior- Southern Gospel A Capella
When Fear Comes Knocking- Gaither Vocal Band
Better Than A Hallelujah- Amy Grant
My Lighthouse- Rend Collective
The River- Jordan Feliz
Jesus Loves Me- Chris Thomlin

If you get through all these songs and discover that you like enough of them to make a playlist, you might like this link, I made a playlist on Spotify called, ironically, It's Pretty Crazy In Here! 

I hope you enjoy and as always,

Have a blessed day and embrace the craziness in your life!

Heidi

Numbers 6:24-26

Dear To My Heart Bunny...

 This is a story about a bunny....