Blessings

All around me I am hearing story after story of a situation where people are hurt, families are broken, tragedy has struck, someone has passed away and on and on. It's kind of got me down in the dumps a little. If' I'm discouraged just by hearing these stories, I can't even imagine how the ones who are living it must feel. I heard this song a couple weeks ago and wanted to share it with you. It spoke much encouragement to me. Even when we don't know or realize it, God shows his mercies and blessings to us in ways we will never understand.

Prayer

We had prayer conference recently at our church and the speaker share with us something that I have never really thought about before. Yes, I know God knows all of our requests before we bring them to Him. Still, I always feel the need to ask. But it's about intercessory prayer...with the Holy Spirit. If we will allow him, He will show us how to pray and what to pray for. This verse spoke to me in a profound way...

Romans 8:26 in The Message says this "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans."

I don't think this is an excuse to not pray, it's just when we are stuck... not sure... empty.... broken... hurt and there are feelings but no words, the Holy Spirit steps in for us. God knows our hearts and knows our innermost being and that kind of intercessory prayer can be the most powerful sometimes.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

Today is Chandler’s 11th birthday.  He is growing up to be such a young man.  He’s almost as tall as me and we can wear the same size shoe! 

I am so proud of him.  He is smart, funny, creative and kind-hearted.  He is a huge help around the house.  Give him a task and he’s on it!  Right now his dream is to be a fireman someday…because he’s been fascinated by them since he was 3.  All he talks about is getting old enough to be a volunteer firefighter.

He goes to middle school next school year and that’s gonna be a huge step for both of us.  My, how time flies by. 

We love you “Chan-the-man” and can’t wait to see what God has in store for you! 

Self Portrait

“Hey look Mom… I drawed a picture of me.  See I’ve got my hands on my hips and you see that big bump right there (pointing to the thing under her right arm in the picture)… that’s my booty.  You know, when I put my hands on my hips and stick it out to the side like this (and she impersonates for me)”.  --Kensley, 4 1/2 years old