HE is changing her heart!!

I was so thankful for the reminder this week that the Lord is working in my sweet little girl's heart!! As we were walking through Kohl's the other day, Mika was not behaving very well. She was begging for a toy, not staying with me, and was not respecting me with her words. For a minute I was letting this behavior slide when the Lord so graciously pointed me to my laziness in not correcting her. I knelt down in front of her to whisper that her behavior was sin and she was not bringing glory to God. Normally, Mika would stop the behavior, but it would be obvious that her heart was not changed. This time was different, she immediately became very repentent and asked to hold my hand so she could stay with me. I was excited about the quick change. That night at dinner as we were telling daddy what happened, I thanked her for her quick change in behavior. She told me and Mark, "When mommy said I was sinning, God told me He wanted to change my heart, and my heart started beating hard and fast. That is why I stop acting bad." Mark and I just sat and stared at each other. We were both soooo grateful that the Lord is opening her eyes. We knew that could only come from Him. I need to be more faithful and quick to discipline her, but God is the one that is changing her. I am in AWE of HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day! My husband and kids sure made it special for me!! Before church, Makenzie made an omelet for me. She did a great job and made me feel very special!! The Lord was very gracious to remind me through several words during church that it was by His strength and grace that I can be the mom He created me to be and that He died for the mistakes and sin that I frequently make with and against my children. PRAISE GOD that He did not leave to do this awesome task alone. After church, we had a great lunch and they took me shopping for a tennis outfit to begin playing in the neighborhood tennis league. I was amazed how patient they were as I tried on many outfits. Not one complaint!! The day did not end there, they all sat and watch the finale of Amazing Race with me that evening. I think this was my favorite Mother's Day ever!! (I think I say that every year!!)

SPRING TRAINING!!!

Caleb began spring training last week for tackle football. He has played flag football for a few years, so he was ready for the next step. He starts tackling this week. Not sure whether I shoud start worrying yet!!

Mark and Caleb's Fishin' Trip

EASTER PFUN

EASTER!!!

We had a great Easter!! After Easter baskets and church, we picked up subs and had a picnic at the park. Mark and I hid Easter eggs for the kids and enjoyed watching them hunt. Makenzie and Caleb did not complain about hunting since there was lots of money hidden for them. We finished the picnic with a round of frisbee golf on an actual frisbee golf course, which was quite hard since it was on the side of a mountain!! We finished the evening having dinner with great friends.

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow!!!

Yeah!! Mark has a job. It's not just a job, it's a great job!! We are sooo thankful to our Father for this blessing. We have learned so much through this trial, like learning to depend on the Lord and giving full and rightful control to Him. He is such a GOOD God!! I do not know how people go through trials without Him. We have also learned great things like the joy of not being in debt. I have been so thankful for a husband who has told me NO many times to silly things, so that we would not be in debt. I have found that leaning on Mark as the leader for our family is very easy. His faith in God has been unwavering and I am grateful for the many times during this trial that he did not let me give into self-pity and worry. He constantly pointed me to my Savior! We have both been very thankful to our family and friends for their love, support, and prayers. We are convinced that we attend the greatest church ever. The love that we recieved from our pastors, friends, and care group is unmatchable. We both have the best families ever!!

Three Treed BIG TIME!!!

I know this title may seem foreign to most, but most Sovereign Gracers know exactly what it means. Thanks to my very loving Father, who hates sin, my very caring husband, who is not scared to comfront my sin, and much examination, by me the sinner, I have unfortunately been producing some bad fruit recently in this trial. I do know how many times this week I have said, "I just want my life back." Which in turn the Lord so lovingly showed me that I was like the Isrealites complaining and saying they just wanted to go back to Egypt. I have always thought how silly that was, until I found myself begging for the riches of slavery and denying God's plan. (Numbers 11:1-15) I haven't stood up under the temptation and preached the gospel to myself in the last week. I have not let His presence be my yearning. I was so grateful because God did not let Mark stop there, we went on to look at 2 Corintians 1:1-12. Iknow in this life my trials will never be as hard as Paul's, but I am grateful that he wrote about them so that we can share in the comfort. Please be praying that I will see God's mercy and comfort (verse 2-4), His deliverence (verse 10), and His grace to affect my conduct (verse 12). That it would bear good fruit. It hasn't stopped me from praying for quick deliverence from the trial, but it has made me pray once again to walk in faith trusting in Him for deliverence in His perfect plan!!!!