I CAN’T GO A DAY WITHOUT JESUS!

As difficult as it is for me to start my mornings without my “wake up” coffee, I CAN do it.  

To have a full day of not checking things off of a “to do list” is a challenge, but it too has been accomplished.

I can go without my phone (and that’s a hard one) my iPad, the internet and even the TV and somehow I can still make it through the day.   

As crazy as it makes me to go to bed with dishes in the sink, or laundry in the dryer,  I have done it. Often. And I Am Still Sane!

There are many things that I have no problems letting go of…..

And there are  many things that I’ve had to learn to live without. 

But…  I CAN’T GO A DAY  WITHOUT MY JESUS!

                  

        He lives deep within me     

And His presence is felt all around me.

I thank Him for each day as I rise

And I praise Him when I lay my head to rest.

I cannot go without Him…

I have seen Him move in many lives

And I have watched Him graciously move in death.

I hear Him in the laughter of children

And I see Him through acts of compassion and giving.

I cannot go without Him…

I seek Him for guidance with every step that I take

And I try to humble myself as I let His light shine.

I need His Wisdom and His Love

And I am thankful for His Mercy and Grace.

I just can’t go without Him…

He is my Comfort and my Strength 

My Hope  

My Friend

My Healer and My Rock

I cannot go a SINGLE MOMENT in ANY DAY without…..MY JESUS!

He is My Everything!!!

A letter written to my 45 year old self.

Dear Self,

You have the ability to look back….”way back I might add” and see the works of our great God in your life. For this alone you should be thankful and remain humble so that you can be used by Him.

In moments of tragedy and triumph, God was who you sought, and even in your own disbelief He remained faithful, true and sovereign.

Being a Pastor’s wife, friend, sister, and daughter are all special titles to hold. But nothing compares to being a child of God first!

You couldn’t wait to hold the title of “Mother” but quickly life made you realize that being a mother is not what defines you. It was in your mothering that you realized how incapable you were and how awesome your God really is! God continues to come to your rescue over and over and over…..

Loosing your first child brought despair, loss and pain. The love of a compassionate husband brought comfort but the true healing came from your Heavenly Father. 

Words cannot describe the excitement, love and joy that the birth of your first son and daughter radiated. Nothing could ever compare to those precious moments. The miraculous gift of life still amazes you! 

You didn’t give birth to all five of your children, but the Lord divinely placed all of them in your hearts forever. May your heart always be tender, gracious and thankful to the three mothers who chose life even in their own struggles to parent. When you were much younger adoption was only a seed planted. It took years of watering before it ever began to blossom.  It has bloomed far more beautiful than you could have ever imagined. 

Your children don’t all look alike, have the same traits, or have your eyes, but they are all covered by the same blood. They have been entrusted to you to love, train, cherish and to one day spend eternity together. We are a family! 

Mothering comes natural to you. Having additional children have always blessed your home with even more love and laughter. Becoming a foster mother was a decision made after wanting to do more for the hurting children in your community. Looking outside your home to “mother” has been a lesson in obedience! 

You never thought the teenage years were going to happen. You still look into their hearts as your precious babies and they continue to grow more independently every year. It won’t be long until all your children will soon become adults. May you always see them as your little God given bundles of joy. Each full of talents and gifts that can be used for His glory. 

Becoming a MiMi at the age of 44 was not on your life’s agenda but Gods plan is far better than your own. His timing is proven to be much more accurate than what you try to achieve timely.  He’s plan is perfect! 

Your personal goals have often taken a side step, sacrifices have been made numerous times, life’s journey has had twists and turns…. yet a beautiful masterpiece has been strategically unfolding in your life since your own birth. You are a work of art by the master creator! 

Your relationship with your own mother is beyond measure the greatest relationship on earth. You recognize the God given uniqueness now more than ever.  The special dynamics of a “parent relationship” has been beautifully defined through both of your aging. You are blessed by your mother daily! 

So this week with Mothers Day approaching, I’m not writing to pat you on the back. You are nothing! God is everything! I’m reminding you to always use your own experiences, gifts and talents to encourage, uplift and inspire other mothers just like you. Pay the goodness forward with what the Lord has given onto you.

Woman should not solely define them selves as “mother” but as children (woman) of God. Mothering without Him will bring worry and despair. All mother’s are divenly chosen by God, called and given the awesome responsibility to raise children to love Jesus! You need to continue to grow yourself in Him! 

Happy Mother’s Day!  Remember that the meaning of life and the understanding of your journey will continue to unfold as you grow older and walk by faith.  Through Him alone you are stronger than any test or trial and through Him alone you’ll find your greatest joys! You can rest assured that one day you will be in your heavenly home because of His Amazing Grace! 

May you always hoard the word, trust without boarders and hold faith with no fences. This year for Mother’s Day, I pray that you and all those that God has connected you with…will Shine On! Let your life and your relationship with the Lord define you.  Use everything you know and experience to further His kingdom. Never be afraid to reach out when you need a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear!  Other Mothers are there for you, just as you are there for them! 

Written to encourage all who read this letter. 

With love from, 
Your 45 year old self
  











This Picture Day Was Different

A great day for some pictures! So We Thought!

Sunday was a beautiful day out!  Amanda and I set out to take some Country shots of Kayleigh. Like many other times, her mom got her ready and we headed out with a goal in mind.

But….this picture day was different!  

Maybe, just maybe, this picture day was different because Kayleigh is now TWO!  Nothing comes too easily with her these days. She has a mind of her own and a little stubbornness mixed into all that sweetness of hers.

We were in a quiet area with nothing around us for distractions…..Yeah right!!

It was much different in the eyes of a two year old!  She wanted to touch, throw, walk through, sit in, and even EAT the snow that consumed her attention.  She found mailboxes to open, a fence to climb, sticks to play with, and puddles of mud to walk through….And Yes!!!  We were exhausted after only ten minutes!!!

She only peered into the camera with an actual smile ONE time that day…..

But later that night, while working on the hundred plus shots I had, I came to the conclusion that I actually liked the candidness of our adventure. One picture stood out the most. I couldn’t help but reflect on this scripture:

Psalms 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.

As she grows, the world will have many distractions. Like the sticks, mud puddles and mailboxes did this day.  There will be things that intrigue her just like the beautiful, cold, white snow she hadn’t experienced before. Things may draw her attention away from where her focus should be. Too many roads could bring her too many choices that may cloud her thoughts or actions.

I’ve decided that I’m not only keeping this picture…but I am blowing it up!

 Just for Mimi’s sake!

Kayleigh scripture

It will always remind me to pray this scripture over her in hopes that she can one day tuck it into her own heart. That she grows up loving the Lord and seeks him first for guidance and direction. That her path will always remain straight and narrow.  

So when life presents her with obstacles (and it will) and throws her some distractions (and it will) she will always remember to Ask The Lord to Show Her His Ways, and Teach Her His Paths.

A Picture Day Mess?

No Way!

It Was A Picture Day Success!