Under the circumstances...

Have you ever been there? you know... under the circumstances?

Are you there right now?

I have been there many times, though it isn't a place that I should be because I am His. 

That's difficult.  When things are tough... the stress is high... do we get "under His wings" or "under the circumstances?"

I often allow my perception of what I should be, how I should be doing it, and what others think to put added stress on my life. I have always had these goals in my head that I felt I must live up to but are my "goals" His goals? Are the troubles of this life the focus of my life?

If I could only focus on Him, the trials and troubles would become so much smaller... and actually pale in comparison to ... HIM.

Phil. 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand, be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God . And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rain, prayer, and hope

Random...

Yes, that is the only word that really covers my title... or truly my thoughts today.

It has been raining for 3 days in Georgia...

You know how it is... rain... kinda makes you sleepy, thoughtful, and a bit retrospective...

I have been thinking this morning about a comment that my Pastor made yesterday about prayer... Abraham had prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah asking God to spare the city... he had prayed many times but God chose not to give him his request... Yet, Lot prayed one more time that God would spare one of the cities of the plain... and He did.  The point is... just one more prayer... might be the one that "is enough"... the one that fills the vial...  With that in mind, how important it is for us to pray! Thank you Lord for the means of grace...

...and thinking of that... brings hope to my heart.  Hope that God hears our prayers and STILL ANSWERS them... hope that God has it all under His control... and hope because when the rain comes and the wind blows and we feel so threatened we can trust that we are safely sheltered "under His wings."

Thank you Lord...

Being Christ - "like"

I came across this quote today from Salt and Light Ministries website...

"You know, when you hang around Someone, when you're in Their presence, you eventually start talking like them and thinking like them and even acting like them.... Ah....In His presence is where we want to be...Jesus ministered out of the abundance of His relationship with the Father.....God has not called us to ANYTHING but Himself and everything else flows from that call ! (see John 15:5)"


Oh, that I would "hang around" my Lord so much that I would just naturally become like Him!

What's your personality?

I have a dear friend, Mary who admins a great website call Strong Women Surrendered Hearts. Today she posted this link http://similarminds.com/jung.html for a free personality test. I have done a few of these in my time, and even used a few for some of my college classes, but this one was a bit more on target than most free tests that I have taken before... check it out - it's kind of neat! You might find out more about yourself than you really want to! ;)

Oh... by the way... here are my results.

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Personality Test by SimilarMinds.com

Spring Fever...

I don't know about you... but homeschooling is getting harder... the prettier it gets outside! Ahhh... the dangers of Spring Fever. They want to play and be outside, so I'm trying to work with it. :)  I have to admit - I have it too!

Trying to do more of our lessons outside

 and even some reading on the porch swing.

We've been studying about birds - doing Apologia science's book about Flying Creatures.  Love the book... and are just now able to get "into it" since the birds are returning!!

What are you doing to combat Spring Fever at your house???

Baseball and Memories...

This past Saturday was a busy, crazy day... but full of memories for our little man.

 He was in a parade...

and played his first baseball game of the season...

Got to pitch his first game...

AND it was against the team his best buddy is on!

It was tough work rooting for our little guy! (nervous mommy mouth...)

But we managed it... and still got some smiles...

Sweet memories...

...my little Jo.

I Have Been Blessed...

I know... I just posted about my crazy life adventures with my crazy kids... but all day I have been thinking... how blessed I am.

In my devotions this morning... the scripture was a verse about how God promises that His children will endure trials. That could be discouraging... but if we look at it from God's viewpoint, it is sooo encouraging! You see - He sees us as His children needing correction, needing growth, needing maturity. So, just as I have to put up with crazy stuff from my children.... ohhhh does my precious Lord put up with crazy stuff from me!  He leads me along, teaches me lessons from my failures, uses circumstances to show me how to trust Him, and ultimately He makes me more like Him. Yes, trials and testings are so scary, but the goal is so blessed!

So - yes today - I am thanking Him... for the crazy moments with my family... for He is teaching me lessons much deeper than just how to clean up toilet water and powder snow!

Thank you Lord, for loving me!