Music from the heart

K (age 7) was supposed to be in bed going to sleep, yet she appeared in my bedroom.

"Mom, I want to tell you a song I wrote in my head. It is for Lent."

If I take a breath and step out on my own
I'll only be a hard stone.

If I take a breath and go with God together
I'll be in heaven forever.

Precious. I spent a moment singing it with her and then sent her back to bed.

A few moments later, T (age 5) came down the hall. She now had a song for Lent as well:

Step out in the light. Take a big flight to heaven forever and ever.

So I sang it with her before I sent her back to bed.

Clearly, they weren't obeying the "No Talking to Each Other" rule. But I let it slide without a comment. Because I really can't think of anything better for them to be talking about and brainstorming together...

Worship music to call their own.

Talk away my sweet girls. Mommy won't be stopping you tonight.

Wordless Wednesday: My Jumping Bean

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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eating eggs and dinner...

D (age 3): I want crumbs.
Mom: Huh?
D: I want crumbs.
Mom: You want crumbs? What do you mean? Crumbs on your eggs?
D: Crumbs.

(Turns out, he wanted salt...)
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D: God tells me, "You want to come see trains?" and I say, "Yes."
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We are reading a chapter of Proverbs every morning during Lent. In chapter two, I emphasized that wisdom comes from God.

Mom: Where does wisdom come from?
T (age 5): God!
Mom (to D): Where does wisdom come from?
D: Uh...(looks around)...from over there? (points across the room)
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K (age 7) was having a hard time in the car. I told her that she needed to go to her room when we got home so that she could calm down.

Once we pulled into the driveway and began getting out of the car...

K: I calmed myself down, Mom.
Mom: Do you think you can remain calm once you get in the house? Even if you aren't getting your way?
K: No. (pause) Not without God's help.

wise beyond her mama...we stopped, talked and prayed!
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Your Turn:

Simple Compassion Study Chapters 1-5

When I did a book review for, "Simple Compassion" by Keri Wyatt Kent, I determined that God was calling me to read this book in 2010. A friend of mine was eager to read it as well and we sent out some emails to find other women interested in studying this topic.

We began very last minute in early January and have met every other week. We decided to discuss two chapters at a time because we are meeting every other week. The book is meant to be done one chapter each week through the course of the year. As moms of little ones, we just can't meet every week, so this has been a great solution.

God put together a very interesting group of women. Not everyone knows one another, but it has worked out beautifully. I truly believe that God always brings the people that He wants there. Many women that we invited weren't able to join in and it boiled down to 7 of us. We range from 33 to 50-something. We all have little ones at home, with our oldest children still in elementary school. We represent all sorts of different denominations, but are all passionate about Jesus! And the group has been able to open up in a deep and meaningful way very quickly!

Now, these first few chapters didn't provide a lot of good discussion for our particular group. The author is laying the groundwork for the rest of the book, making sure that women know their value.

She continually emphasized the fact that women are valuable in our society and in churches, a little too much for us. We just happen to be a group of pretty confident women who haven't had to "fight" to be valued. Maybe it is a product of where we live and how we were raised.

In fact, Chapter three talked a lot about a quote from Marianne Williamson about being afraid of how powerful you truly are. Most of us didn't relate to that well. We don't really struggle with "playing small". So we had a discussion about how some of us felt we had to downplay ourselves in family situations or certain friend groups for various reasons, but we didn't really find an overwhelming "little 'ole me" syndrome to be an issue in our group.

Clearly, the author has encountered church groups and individual women who don't feel valued or able to contribute. These chapters were aimed at denouncing that lie.

Chapter 5 was really were the book seemed to begin for me, and for most of the group. This chapter addressed our feelings of inadequacy and the fear that we aren't going to be able to handle the situations we are dealt.

We had to spend some time sharing with other group members the giftedness that we saw in their lives. It was so uplifting and encouraging. Seriously. I went home feeling like "my cup had been filled" for the week!

According to these women, some of my giftings from God:

friendship, leadership, seeking truth, initiator, wisdom "beyond years", accepting people where they are and gently nudging them to the next level, strength of character and mind, willing to extend self

Wow. I was completely humbled and encouraged. Everyone went home with a list of encouragement from that night. And we grew as a group as we invested in sharing with one another.

We also discussed contentment that night, but I'll have more on that later...

Rest

Two years ago, New Years 2008, God impressed a word on my heart that became my "word" for the year.

PURPOSE was the word. It helped to define the journey that I was on and I truly felt it was a hint of what was still to come in my understanding and walk with God.

I had it stamped on a necklace and have worn it almost daily ever since. A regular reminder that my day has already been planned.

My life has been purposed. My day has been purposed. In fact, this very moment has been purposed by God.

Am I giving it over to Him?

I assumed that in 2009, I would receive a new word for the year. But nothing came. I guess I figured it would be a one time thing.

But a few weeks ago, it became clear that God was impressing another word upon my heart.

REST

It is a seemingly strange word for a homeschooling mommy of four little ones. After all, rest is something I don't get a whole lot of. At least not physical rest.

But this is the journey I am on. Finding REST. True REST. The kind of REST I believe Jesus was speaking about when he declared in Matthew 11,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (verses 28-30)

REST that comes when we follow Him.

It is not just a good nap, though sometimes one might be on His agenda for me.

It is not having a day with no plans, but some days you might REST in an agenda free day.

It is not laziness, ever. After all, He has purposed each moment.

It will never have to include anxiety, fear, worry, or stress. None of those emotions are restful. (Matthew 6:25-34)

So what exactly is it?

For me...

It IS taking our lives, our burdens, our anxieties, our goals, and our desires and turning them over to Him entirely! (I Peter 5:7)

It IS resting in the blessed assurance that He will take care of every detail, every need, and every aspect of our lives.

Practically speaking...

I can plan a day with nothing to do so that I can rest and enjoy my kids because I don't have to strive to "achieve" some worldly goal everyday.

I don't have to take on more tutoring jobs when our family schedule is already busy because I can rest in His provision.

I don't have to spout off the resume of my 7 year old to other moms because I can rest in the knowledge that His hand is on her life. In fact, my 7 year old doesn't even need a resume of activities and classes unless I feel God working something out for our family. We can focus on building her relationship with Him and let the rest unfold in His timing.

I don't have to make choices out of fear. My 3 year old doesn't have to be pushed ahead of his time into the right soccer team or into the right preschool because I am afraid there won't be a spot for him once he is five. If I rest in God's timing, then he'll work out the details.

I don't have to nag my husband because I can rest in God's Holy Spirit prompting Him when He needs it. (yeah...working on that one...daily)

I don't have to worry about homeschooling for high school or my children getting into college because I can rest in His plan for our family THIS year. Knowing that as we trust Him now, He will work out the future.

REST.

It may not include an afternoon nap today. But it includes an overwhelming peace everyday.

Happy (late) Valentine's Day

Love,
Mommy and the kids

Wordless Wednesday: 3 days. 15 hours of sledding.

By 4 PM...



and the next day...

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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Grandma: D, I didn't know you could draw so well!
D (age 3): I didn't know either!
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While getting T (age 5) dressed to go outside in the snow...

Mom: Let's get the (snow)boot on.
T: That is the name of the country.
Mom: (laughing) No. The country is Italy, sweetie. It's just shaped like a boot.
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And my clone oldest daughter has taken to writing down some Tiny Talk. She is so excited about it when she does it too. She brings it to me and reads it and we laugh...



P: Do you want to play cash cab?
K: Yes, I do.
P: Okay, I'll be the cash caber.
(which they found hilariously funny)
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K brought me another sheet of paper the next day. (which I can't find right now)

K (age 7): Oh mom. Look what I said today: "I have giant ants in my pants". (laughs) I wrote it down for you.
Mom: You're so funny.
K: That's a good one, isn't it mom? You can have it for Tiny Talk.
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Your Turn:

Ponderings from Sunday

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4

But we should ask ourselves...

"Are these trials in my life because I want my own way or because God wants His way with me." (as spoken by a visiting missionary at church this week)

Excellent question. Because if God is at work, we can rest in the assurance that He is working on our character, producing more of His character within us.

But if it is our own nature at work, then we must take heed and release our selfish desires over to Him.

And if you aren't sure, you can certainly ask the source of all wisdom for help in sorting this out because as the next verse (verse 5) assures us...

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Just the thoughts I have been pondering and praying about today.

Blizzard #1 2010, Day 2

On day two of the 31 inches of snow, the snow stopped and the sun came out! So did some very happy children.




The amount of snow was amazing! Our house...


the road wasn't plowed in the morning...



But our little digger was rearing to go...


and the kids were just in heaven playing on the walls of snow!


Eventually the plow arrived...


and everyone grabbed a spot to watch him do his work!


Our sidewalks were shovelled.


It was time for some sledding fun!






This little guy never ceased to amaze us.


Only three years old and he hacked it just like the rest of them for HOURS! He slides down on his own and carries the sled back up with the rope tie on that daddy created.


While waiting his turn (which he does quite graciously now), he tried a pool kickboard...


Then we let him have a turn on the real thing...


It has been quite an adventure. We are feeling a bit cooped up, but have lived through the historic snowfall that will be referenced for years to come!

Blizzard #1 of 2010, Day 1

I find it funny that I have to actually label this as Blizzard #1. But as write this, Blizzard #2 (4 days later) is beginning.

Yes, it has been quite an interesting few days around here in Maryland. The snow has put a halt to schools for the entire week and many offices and churches have had to close. We were fortunate to get plowed out within the first 2 days. But I have friends who still have 30 inches from this first storm sitting on their street as the second storm kicks off.

But even those of us plowed out are in for it. We are running out of places to put it.

In spite of some of the annoyances, it has been fun! We are grateful that our power has stayed on and our house is stocked with food. We know that this is a historic week and we are just trying to relax and enjoy it with our kids...

The kids were a bit overwhelmed with the depth of the snow out front.





But T (age 5) soon found a spot to rest.

The attempts to sled on this first day did not work out. The snow was still falling down pretty hard and there was already over 2 feet of snow on the ground. So the troopers gave up.


Daddy had to get to work shovelling out the huge amounts of snow. He had his little helper with him.



Snow drifts sure did pile up that snow between the cars!



That would be the street out front.



The "walls" of snow on either side of the driveway were piled high! The kids had a blast climbing up them.



The boys climbed the wall on the other side and the snowball fight ensued...across the shovelled driveway...which then filled up with snowball snow.

Yes, my hubby is a great sport!

By mid day, we took an official measurement...27 inches so far...


And it is piled high out back on the deck as well. I wonder if the folks that live here will shovel it out for us?
Can you find a table, a grill, and several chairs?

More to come...Day Two brought with it some sunshine and we had a great time!