Success!!

I couldn't be happier with how the kids' portraits turned out today! It was so hard to choose but here are a few of my favorites!


Darling Little Redhead isn't so little anymore! Three years old!


Big Brother and Lil' Brother


El Principito is two months old already!

Big Brother's Got the Touch

9 weeks old and loving time with Big Brother

Calling All Perfectionists

I recently asked a missionary mentor to pray for me as I was struggling to find time to spend with the Lord with a new little baby in the house and a three year old. Her response was such an encouragement to me and I have been so blessed by taking her advice!

"Hmm, yes, certainly know all about the battle to find quality time in the Word, in prayer and simply with the Lord. I remember those days so, so well. They seemed to go on forever, but in actual fact were just a fleeting season. I so appreciated the input into my life of one particular older missionary lady when we were brand new on the field with a 2 year old and a 3 month old. She was actually based on another island and I only ever had one week in her company as we were looking at where we would locate. She loaned me her “spiral” she called it. A basic, spiral, lined notebook that she had filled as her journal. It was full of her thoughts, experiences, poems and prayers. I appreciated her openness, and I truly learned things from that “spiral” that set the tone for me for years. One thing I specifically remember was reading how she was despairing about having time out with the Lord. He challenged her to start her “spiral” (as opposed to a beautiful fancy journal that she’d be afraid to write in unless it was perfect. You can also tear the pages out of spirals if you want, she wrote). She would have little notes jotted over the pages and in the margins as thoughts came to her throughout the day, and as prayers for people came to mind as she was caring for her children.

Needless to say, it wasn’t long after we got settled on the island that I started my own “spiral”. My biggest challenge has been able to just jot things and write and not try to get it all perfect which is my tendency. Looking back now, I realize that God used these brief moments when I could pour out my heart in prayer or praise or just a verse written down, or a note (She would also write down verses and put them around the house so she could see them and meditate on them wherever she was as she didn’t have time then for long in-depth studies of the Word) or whatever."

I could so relate to what she shared because I am definitely a perfectionist. I've started so many "journals", only to rip the pages out because I missed a day or two or twenty. It made me realize that one of the biggest lies the enemy tells us is that it's ALL or NOTHING. I have found so much joy in choosing to let go of that lie.

The book of Hebrews says that because of Jesus we are free to "barge right in to His throne room" at any time, knowing that He welcomes us gladly (4:16; 10:19,22)! The picture here is the young son of a king knowing he is fully loved and having no fear in running into the throne room to sit on his daddy's lap!

So if you are a fellow perfectionist, struggling to find time with the Lord, I encourage you to:

1) Buy a spiral

2) Don't date any entries if you get hung up on a missed day or two or twenty! 

3) Let go of the idea that time with God has to include certain components and just worship Him as His Spirit and Word guide. Sometimes I pray, sometimes I read and then boil down the truths in written form, sometimes I write down a song or a poem that has touched me. Anything you have to offer God is welcome.

**Of course, number three is the only non negotiable here! If you don't want to buy a spiral, don't...but DO choose to stop letting perfectionism in any form prevent you from communing with Him!**

EXTRAORDINARY

Emily over at Chatting at the Sky has an EXTRAORDINARY post today!

It will be water for your thirsty soul if you are caught up in the hum drum routine of washing dishes, changing diapers and somehow getting your makeup on before your husband gets home from work!

Those of you who work outside of the home (and maybe still have to come home to dishes and diapers), or are past the kiddo stage, I promise you it will be equally as refreshing because the principle she shares is revolutionary for every stage of life...if you only have the courage to believe it!

Check it out and leave Emily some love in the comment section, letting her know you're visiting from My Place of Peace!

All Smiles

El Principito is all smiles these days and so sweet!

Fireproof

Honey and I had an awesome date night on Friday night! A big shout out to my awesome sister for babysitting our darling little redhead!

With our palets dancing from the most delicious Thai food to be found, we went to the theatre to see the movie Fireproof. We highly recommend it, not only because of the value it places on marriage and daring to love in the hard times, but also for it's humorous and truly touching moments. Check out the trailer!

That's OK, I Have Gumballs

If you've read my previous post, you learned that in our former South American host country it was the customers responsibility, not the store clerk, to have the correct change for any given purchase.

You saw the responses that a lack of correct change elicited. But how could I have forgotten so soon the very best option for the child of every mother?

Let's call it the gumball change option. The cashier owes you 50 cents, but doesn't have it in her till, so she offers you two packs of small gumballs.

Yes...my darlings...gumballs...now, if it had only been chocolate there may have been an epidemic of women who "forgot" to bring small change. :)

I'm So Sorry, I Don't Have 23 Cents...

"That'll be $3.23," he says. The simple statement sends me digging through my coin purse for two dimes and three pennies. Only one dime? Make that one dime, two nickles and three pennies. Only one nickle?

I dip my head apologetically and say, "I'm so sorry, I don't have 23 cents." He looks at me funny, takes my $4 and makes quick change. His response isn't what I was expecting and it reveals, in a small way, how much my thinking has been impacted by the four years we recently spent in South America.

You see, the same situation there would have been met at the very least with a scolding for not having the correct change. And at the most, I would lose whatever change was coming to me. Somewhere in the middle would be a lot of sighing while the cashier went up and down the line seeing if anyone could break a bill for change.

Several times I was actually told I wouldn't be able to buy an item because they couldn't make change for me. I guess they didn't really need the sale?

So I got in the habit of carrying as much small change as I could. And I forgot that in this blessed country, you can hand the cashier a $50 for a purchase of $3.23 and they'll smile and count you back your change. In fact, it seems it's actually more of a nuisance to some of them to have to wait for you to dig through your coin purse for the correct change.

Culture is so interesting...I'm thankful to have experienced another one and learned from it...but you better believe I'll enjoy whipping out that fifty dollar bill next time I buy a latte! :)

Nothing Makes My Heart Go Squeeze...

...like seeing him love on my boys! I know the rest of you moms out there know EXACTLY what I'm talking about!


Honey with El Principito at 5 weeks (can you believe he's rolling over already???)

Psalm 139 Out of Order

Not proud of the way I reacted to my husband last night and needing some forgiveness, I went to the Lord this morning...and He led me to Psalm 139. Sometimes looking at things in a little different order can really give you a fresh perspective so I wanted to share with you how He blessed me with the reminder of His forever love.

Psalm 139 Out of Order (and paraphrased)

v5 You have placed your hand of blessing upon my head

EVEN THOUGH:

v1 You look straight into my heart and know the exact truth about who I am;

v2 You see my every action and know everything that crosses my mind;

v3 You always know where I am (and you sometimes go with me places that You wouldn't choose for me because you will NEVER leave me!); and

v4You've already heard what I'm going to say, even before it leaves my mouth.

THEREFORE:

v6 I'm overwhelmed with the knowledge that you CHOOSE to bless me in spite of knowing the TRUTH about who I really am, and what I really do and say. I can't understand the half of your merciful, gracious character!

Are you living with regrets today, friend? Find forgiveness, but then move on in joy knowing that you are the apple of His eye, He loves you with an everlasting love and His hand of blessing is upon you!