Use Your Gifts || Leave the Dishes

Proverbs 31 Devo
Sharon Glasgow Ministry
As Sharon Puts it "Entertaining isn't about our house, our decorating, our cooking or how perfect our children are. Hospitality is when you open your home to all those who come, invited and uninvited and minister the love of Christ no matter what your circumstances are."

Sharon went to visit a woman who had been a missionary for over 60 years and led countless people to Christ and the woman she was in her eighties and continued to pour her life into serving.  Sharon and her husband stayed with her and learned things that I really really need to learn.    I need to learn how to leave the dishes whenever God opens a window of opportunity.  I want to be able to let the dishes go and not act like I have it so together.  I want that kind of desire to serve people whenever God calls, no matter the state of my house. I want my strength and passion to be like that described in 1 Peter 4:9-11b. I want people to know Jesus more than I want to have the perfect  kitchen.

I love how Sharon puts it-- "God cares more about what's happening in our kitchen, than the state of it!"

Firecrackers In My Blood

One of the moms from the Proverbs 31 ministry said this week "I'd like
to be a mom who handles mishaps and messes with a graceful, "That's
okay, Dear." But I was born with firecrackers in my blood"

Lawdy Lawdy so was I... my firecracker emotions run deep too. I wish I could always keep my cool, and have one of those calm and collected
responses at all times... instead of allowing my deep flowing
firecracker blood to take charge and have word vomit followed by the
feeling of remorse..... But I realize I have to make the choice to let
the Holy Spirit reign me in. I severly need God's spirit to interrupt
my fleshly tendencies so I can have gentle answers that turn away
wrath!

I believe that God allows perspective changes that help us to see past
the here and now so that we can see God's truth that sets us free.
God has used an amazing woman in my life recently, she has gone
through a tragic loss, yet somehow she has managed to still have joy.
She has leaned on God and she has allowed Him to carry her through. I am
confident that God puts people in your life like that to give you
perspective, to see what it means to truly rely on Him. Thank you for
the encouragment my sweet friend.

Perspective changes make you go home and hug your babies extra tight,
allow you to truly SEE your blessings and not allow them to blur in with
some the messiness that accompanies life.

Living Hope

Living Hope.  Knowing that we always have a choice.

Inspired by Proverbs 31 Ministry

Guard Your Heart

Feelings should never overshadow your Faith.

Here is another encouraging message from Proverbs 31 Ministry that spoke to me this morning and I wanted to share.

"Victory can only be found by spending time with Jesus and choosing His Word as our weapon - not only against life but also against the enemy who wants to steal our hearts.

God never leaves us to fight battles alone. His Word tells us many times that the battle is His, but we must choose to wrap ourselves in His promises and believe that He's our Protector who will fight to the death for His children."
I love the verse that they leave you with:

Farewell to Winter

I thought an appropriate farewell to winter would be pictures from the Girls Trip we took to Gatlinburg this past winter.  Meant to post about this a million times and it just somehow didn't happen.  The cabin we stayed in was beyond amazing and it was so nice to have reprieve from the norm- no laundry, no dishes, no one to worry about but myself for about 48 hrs (but of course somehow I still found a way to worry about my hubby and sweet baby…. It's just my nature I guess).   Such an amazing time and a great way to kick off our new Bible study and kick up our feet!  So far I'm lovin the new Bible study!

 Cutest Pregger Ever :)

 sweet jod <3

Spring I welcome you, please invade my life!

Wyndham's Dedication

We had Wyndham dedicated at Church 2 weeks ago, on 4-3-11 to be exact.  It was a very sweet ceremony and very exciting to see all the new lifes babies and beginings at our church!  It was a little unfortunate that this was right in the middle of Wyndham's nap time as she was a little bit of a pill and did not want to smile for Even one photo.  But that is ok because in some of the photos her scream kinda looks like a smile haha!  Ohhh my sweet Wyndham, you are so sweet and have the happiest disposition- but that is only when you want to.  You inherited my strong will, along with many other things.  I pray that you use that for good, and for God's glory!!

As part of the cermony we had to choose a life verse for Wyndham.  Ryan read it out loud to the congregation- thank the dear Lord I didn't have to, I would have stuttered all over the place.  It was very sweet and Ryan is always so well spoke, another one of his amazing traits!! The verse we choose was Jeremiah 29:11  ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

In all it was a pleasant day!  Jodi came for the ceremony :)  and was our great photographer as well :) Oh and lunch was provided, always love free food! 

We love you sweet Wyndham and we pray that you grow to love the Lord more with each passing day!  If there is one thing that we teach you, I hope and pray that it is to love our Lord.  If you do, we can count our attempt at this whole parenting thing a true success! Faults and all!

Wyndham's Diary- My First Easter

Hello Everyone, Wyndham here.  Yesterday was my first Easter (well technically my 2nd, but being only a few weeks old last yr I slept my way through it-- so this is my first REAL Easter).  Proof:

It was a legit Easter.  Easter Bunny came, brought me some goodies, best of all some PUFFS in an EGG!! OMG, whoever tipped the bunny off to get me some of those, BIG THANKS!! Momma really thought I'd like the jammies, but come on, i'm only 15 months duh!  I did however enjoy my new kicks!  Who doesn't like a good pair of running shoes, and I have got a LOT of running to do!  Anywho, had fun ripping through the basket!

I wore a really cute dress for Easter, Mommy was so excited about the new floral dress however I messed that outfit BIG TIME!  Got out of that photo shoot haha!  Sorry now pics of that ladies & gents!  Nonetheless there was a photoshoot on Easter, I knew I should have never donned the Bunny Ears, BIG MISTAKE!  Well I guess if Aunt Jod wore them while she cooked Carrot Cake Cookies and Daddy did while he dyed eggs, its not so bad...

Also, we died Easter Eggs!  Needless to say I was very good at it.  I even ate some crayons, isn't that part of the process?!? It was a classy dye sported in some wine glasses.  Oh and we ate cookies, soo good!!

 Mommy said this one was her favorite, probably because I made it.  That and its obvious beauty!

A few updates on my life:

I've now added several new words to my vocabulary, some of which are Mimi (Grandmother), book, star, peas (please), all done, hi, bye, baby and sissy. 

I also do sign language, yes genius, I KNOW!  I sign: all done, please, more, food, thank you (which I get very confused with blowing kisses, but really, can you ever have too many kisses?  I think not).  Oh and I wave Bye-Bye, but I've kinda been doing that for a while, not new news people. 

Also, I run now.  Not just like walk fast people, but like totally put my head down and go!  Most of the time I run into stuff b/c I'm going so fast, or maybe b/c my head is down and I'm not looking.  Hence the need for the new Nikes, thanks again Bunny!

Also, I really like necklaces!  Any necklace I can get my hands on goes on!  My current fave to don is a bright shinny green "Happy St. Patrick's Day" necklace.  I like the long ones that sway when I walk, only issues with that is I tend to watch them sway a little to much while walking and I run into stuff. 
Mom and Dad find it amusing, IT'S NOT.

Additionally, I'm getting a little sister.  Here name is Paisley, but I call her sissy.  All I know is Mommy's belly is sure getting fat!  Obviously she doesn't run as much as me, maybe she needs some new Nikes like me to keep trim , hmmm...

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter!  He is Risen :)

XOXOXO

Wyndham

P.S. For those wondering, I'm feeling much better!  I'm kicking pneumonia's butt!  Had me down and out of commission for short while, but I'm tough and on meds and fever free for 2 days!  Can't nobody hold me down, oh-no, I got to keep on movin!   (Inspiration courtesy of Mase & P-diddy)

Daily Bread

This was encouraging to me today and just had to share :)  

Answered Prayer

I nourish my soul in prayer.

What happens after I pray? There are times when I seem to be waiting for something to happen when all the while the "happening" is in progress. When I pray for myself or another, I may not see evidence of healing right away; yet a healing is taking place.
As I pray and go about my day, I keep my faith strong even though I perceive no evidence of improvement in my or another's condition or circumstance. I continue to affirm the truth of innate wholeness, and my mind is at peace.
Quietly aware of the Presence of God, I have a thankful heart that is receptive to good. I receive confirmation that God is active in all and the goodness of God is for all.
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."--Luke 1:46-47