I don't understand, you don't either but He Does

 Tonight at Care Group there was a prayer request that I found interesting and that I could  relate to.  He expressed that he was confused about a situation where he works.  He is unsure about how to approach this person during a meeting next week, what to say and all that. 

Well that made me think about how I've been feeling lately.  There have been things that have popped up that I sit back and wonder about, actually worry about it.  I feel like there are things going on that I don't understand which makes it hard to respond to. 

I'm sure in all our lives everyday we come across things that leave us confused, things we don't understand.  Things we want to understand and want to respond the right way.  But if we would stop in that very moment and pray. Stop trying to figure it all out on our own, our day and the situation or circumstance will go a little bit better. (and hold on and have faith it will end up good in the end)

Phil 4:12-13
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Dear Lord,

I ask that you help me and others to process everything we face in life through the filter of Your love.  We know that you love us.  But sometimes its hard to understand the circumstances that come our way.  At times we find ourselves consumed with trying to figure things out rather thank looking for Your perspective and trusting only You.  Thank you for this new way, Your way to look at things in our lives.

Keep him out! Let His light shine!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
    Philippians 4:6

I read this daily bible verse tonight and knew that it was what I needed to receive in my email in box today.  Do you have days that you feel like something is going to happen?  Do you feel like there is a change around the corner?  Lately I've been feeling like that, and its frustrating to have random thoughts of uneasiness or concerns and worries over nothing.  (at least nothing that has presented itself yet)  I found myself all day talking to God and asking him to help me push those thoughts out of my head.  I asked him to help me hold my hand out to Satan and say "no thank you".  I found myself saying not to worry that God would be there and know how to handle whatever may come up.  I believe that too.  But then tonight as I checked my email and found the verse above I was reminded again of what God can do and will do for me.

I hear Satan knocking at my door trying to cause trouble when there is no trouble.

These thoughts have been about my family, my kids.  It rained this afternoon and I wasn't sure if Sara would still have Girls on the Run so Kyle and I went to find out.  I sat in the parking lot and Kyle ran up to the school.  I began to worry after a few minutes thinking that he couldn't find her.  Then my phone rang and it was Kyle saying that he couldn't find her.  I told him to go to the office and ask if they were still meeting or to page Sara.  I waited and waited what seemed like forever but it was only a few minutes.  He called me and said that he found her and yes they were going to meet so we could go home for while until we needed to pick her up.

Driving tonight to go pick up the kids from youth group, a thought crossed my mind about getting into an accident.  Sara and I would be in it.  I found myself going through the motions of loosing a child.

Its crazy!  I shook my head several times today to clear it and ask God to rid of it the dreadful thoughts that were popping up.  It frustrated me I didn't want to think of the things I thought of today.  I didn't want to feel that heavy feeling of dread, worry and sadness.  I don't want to be a worry wart!  I don't want to be a mother is worried about everything.  I know that I trust God and know he will care for me and all that happens in my life.  He is in control.  So where was all this stuff coming from and why?

I will pray tonight that God will quite my mind and fill it with peace.  

Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.  Colossians 3:2 

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.  Proverbs 16:3 

And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:7-8

And finally......

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?  Psalms 27:1

Thank you Lord for placing these passages in my heart.

Fall

September

Sunny bright

walked out deceived

the cool warm air hits 

Lately I've noticed when I go out to walk the dogs at various times of the day, its not as hot as it looks like it might be.  The weather is changing already, the nights are darker sooner.  The mornings and evenings are a little crisper.  I'm looking forward to fall.  I love how the weather gently changes.  Soon it will bring the season of hustle and bustle with activities that take place in the fall.  Open houses at the school, various little programs being put on.  The kids showing off what they have accomplished since school started.  Light jackets, pretty colored sweaters and comfy sweat shirts will begin to sneak out into our wardrobes, the layering begins.  Crock pots will be brought out and used for soups, stews and warm yummy foods to warm ourselves from the inside out.  Talk of family visiting and who will bring what for the Thanksgiving dinner, kids running around enjoying the cool outdoors.

I looked at my calendar and realized I've got quite a bit going on this Fall.

I have decided to be a Moppet worker this year, and be the lead teacher in the 3 year old class.  So I have every other Thursdays full.

I attend the Ladies Bible Study on Tuesday mornings.

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday evening my husband and I go to Care Group.

My daughter, Karlee will be turning 14 on the 25th of Sept.  I need to start thinking about the cake, the munchies and all the details that are involved when a few girls gather for a sleep over.

Oct. I'm planning on attending the Ladies Retreat.  I"m excited about the new place it will be held.  I'm looking forward to the treasures that will unfold that weekend.

Nov. Micah has been talking about taking us to the State Fair in Phoenix, it sounds fun.  Then there is the kids time to be off for Thanksgiving.  My family will be coming for Thanksgiving at our house.  Next year Micah says we are going to Santa Fe to have Thanksgiving with his Dad and family.

Dec. gosh I don't want to even think about that far ahead......

Cooler weather, busy kids, living, laughing, loving, cozy, family, and friends.....FALL

 

 

A few more

Above with Power

Giving His strength

To help me be His

____________________

In my heart

its stays fullfilled

With God's good name

_____________________

God's hand

Lifts me when I fail

Never ceasing His grace

Haikus

Karlee comes home with all these really fun writing assignments.  I love to see what they are and then read what she comes up with.  There are times I copy the assignment and try my hand at it.  It reminds me of my creative writing class that I took in high school.  It was my favorite class.  So last week Karlee came home telling me that she had to cut out a few pictures and then use them to write a haiku poem.  She did a really good job.  Today I found myself sitting at my desk inspired to do the same assignment. 

Colors so bright

Tulips on my table

Puts a smile on my face

 

(kayak)

Peacefully exploring

Just room for two

Enjoying our surrounings

 

My child's smile

Restores happiness in my heart

How they grow so fast

(jet ski)

Fast cool waves

Splashing and bumping me

Zooming on the water

Fluttering by

With colors so blended

Gracefully soaring high above

Flagstaff Sky

Painted beauty

Breath taking colors

Gazing upon what my creator made

The rest of the weekend

Micah chilling out before the NAU game.  We rode to Tucson with 2 other couples on a little road trip on Saturday.

We were given NAU shirts and I was modeling mine.  It was a fun day getting to know other people.  Made some new friends.  Adult time without kids.  It was fun.  I had never been anywhere with just couples.  It was very hot in Tucson but we all enjoyed ourselves.

Karlee and I decided on Monday to go to the fair for a little while.  We shared a yummy cherry lemonade.

Ended my weekend with my hanging our with my daughter.  After the fair we went to lunch then walked around the mall for a little while then went home for the day to relax.  The boys were at the park or at a friends house.  Micah and Sara went to Lake Powell and played on the jet ski.  Everyone had a great weekend.

Our Anniversary

Our Anniversary was Saturday Sept. 3rd but since we were going out of town on Saturday we had to start getting "rid" of the kids.  They all went where we had arranged on Friday.  So we found ourselves on a Friday night having our whole entire quite house to ourselves.  So we went to SAMS and bought some steaks, yummy garlic bread.  We decided we would grill some steaks and eat out on our balcony.

The view was beautiful, watching the sky change from color to color until the sun set for the evening.

I hide behind the curtain in the house to sneak a picture of Micah grilling.  He doesn't like taking pictures, so I was sneaky :)

Our yummy steaks.  I only ate half of one and Micah ate his whole one plus half. (we ended up having steak and eggs for breakfast on our Anniversary)

I wish this picture wasn't so blurry.

Our yummy dinner :)  So then the rest of the evening we spent enjoying each others company and watching a movie.  Friday night we celebrated our Anniversary all alone early.