Jonah

He has a special heart.  He reminds me of Graham when he was that age.  On Tuesday, Jonah was so excited to come home and tell me a story.  He had been in class that afternoon when their room's intercom buzzed and an assistant called and asked if Jonah could please come to the office.  (Words that would probably scare most kids!)

Once he got there, it was explained to him that the principal had asked for him specifically.

There was a special friend on the playground that they wanted to teach to use the rope climb.  Jonah had helped with this friend in the past in the classroom, and he is really good with him.  Because of that, the principal knew that Jonah would do good with him on the playground.

So, Jonah went out and demonstrated for him.  :)  A little bird told me that the friend listened really well to Jonah, and he ended up accomplishing exactly what they wanted him to.   

As I walked by our principal yesterday, she stopped me and told me what a great job Jonah had done.  I thanked her for choosing him to work with our special friend.  I also told her she had made his entire week by singling him out.  A funny thing about twins is that usually never happens.  I'm glad it did for a day.  A little extra attention never hurt anybody.

I am really proud of this special boy of mine.  (They're ALL special in their own separate ways...but this day, I am talking about my little Jonah.)  It does a Mom's heart good to hear good things about her kids.  Especially coming from the principal of the school...who sees literally hundreds of kids everyday and interacts with them.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift You gave me in my kids.

Love to all.

reactions

We all have them...reactions, that is.  Sometimes I am really quick to react in a certain situation.  Usually when that happens, I know that I have not done or said the right thing. 

Other times, I take a long, deep breath and then pray.  :)  Because when I ask for God to give me the words, He does.  Just because it happens like that doesn't mean I want to scream.  I usually do, but it slowly fades. 

These times, these instances that cause my reactions are good lessons.  Lessons in patience, lessons in how to remain calm, lessons in humility...all of these things are things to learn from. 

Some days I learn a lot.  :( 

Some days I forget to pray this verse that I love to pray:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."  (Psalm 19:14)

Some days my intentions are taken the wrong way. 

Some days I might seem like I'm boasting. 

And then I remember that verse...the one that says (something to the extent of) "if I boast in one thing, may it be in the Lord".  And then I have to apologize. 

Even when it might be something I've done or said unintentionally.  (I always tell my kids, "Even if it's an accident, you STILL have to say you're sorry!")  Same thing applies to me. 

I am human.  I am flawed.  But still...I am loved by the Lord.  All of us are...thankfully, He doesn't require that we be "good enough" for His love...His love just IS. 

How do you react?

Love to all. 

Listening

Wow, God.  It's all I can say.  Well, except for what I'm about to write.  ;-)

I was listening to the Klove morning show as I was getting dressed, and I heard the d.j.'s talking about how the words "restore" and "renew" are being used in the medical field today.  In a fad sort of way.  Even as I heard them say that, I could think back on recently hearing the words, "renew your mind" in the past few weeks.  Have you heard them spoken?  Or seen them written?


I'm on day twelve of my Chronological Bible in a year.  The only reason I even tell you that is because (without even knowing it) you are my motivation.  My accountability.  I cannot do something so important to me without some accountability.  So, even if you might not have known it until now, thank you.  :)

Anyway, in today's reading, I am still in the book of Job.  I am shocked at all I am getting out of this book!  I've read it all before, but something about it this time around is just jumping out at me, almost every single day.  I wanted to share with you what I got today.  (And please know that what I am writing is at myself...not you...I don't ever want you to think I'm "preaching" at you.  It's usually for me, and I get so excited that I have to share it.)

I read chapters 32, 33 and 34 today.  At this point in the book, Job has spoken his peace, his "friends" have spoken their peace, and now it's Elihu's turn to speak up.  He's kept silent up till now because of his age.  He is much younger than the other friends, and only when they've finished does he speak.  And I love what he has to say!

The first verse that jumped out at me was in Chapter 32, verse 8. 

"But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding." 

I wish I could give a number as to how many times I have prayed, asking for wisdom and understanding.  And I always get it...maybe not the wisdom or understanding that I thought I was going to get...but God's wisdom and understanding.  At those times, I have to simply trust Him...that His way is much better than my way.  And yes, that is very hard.  But He always uses it in some way that I might or might not understand.  The key is to trust.  Do you? 

The next verses are totally appropriate for my blog.  I love to write and share what is on my heart.  I know that not everyone believes Who and What I believe in, but that's okay.  My prayer is that what you read on here will plant a seed in your heart, and that someday you will remember some of God's truth. 

Job 32:18  "For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me." 

Job 33:3&4  "My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.  The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life." 

I have good intentions when I write.  I promise. 

I love this next one:

Job 33:14  "For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it." 

He has the capability of speaking to everyone...the key is to listen.  He speaks to me through His word.  I have to read it and listen for it, though.  I do that by asking Him to give me a word for the day...and most times He does.  (John 1:1  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.")

Are you listening?  Some days I really have to strain my ears, and still I don't hear Him.  It's all about the condition of my heart for that day.  Some days I rush through my quiet time, other days I really soak it up.

This next one is that fad medical term I was telling you about. 

Job 33:26  "He prays to God and finds favor with Him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state." 

Be renewed.  Be restored.  We are all made in His image, and that makes us righteous.  (2 Corinthians 5:21  "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.")

Job 34:4  "Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good."  

He gave man free will.  I think that speaks for itself.

Job 34:21  "His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step."

Not just how we are in church on Sunday.  Our every step.  How we are at home when nobody's watching.  How we speak to our husbands.  How we speak to our kids.  I don't know about you, but that makes me cringe from guilt!  I have to pray Psalm 19:14 all the time.  "May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." 

That one verse covers all the bases...what I say and what I think.  Yikes.  I am guilty!  But He is not done with me. 

I'm so thankful for that...He is molding me and shaping me into what He wants me to be.  I just have to read His word.  I have to seek His will.  And in the chaos of my life, I have to listen.   

I challenge you to listen for Him today. 

Happy Tuesday and love to all!

three little words

Roll Tide, Roll! 

Guess what we'll be watching tonight? 

Guess where we'll be eating dinner?

Guess who is NOT going to bed on time tonight?

Answers:

The Big Game

In front of the television, watching all the pregame stuff

Graham, Drew, Jonah, Noah and myself

In case you didn't pick up on it:

Roll Tide, Roll!

weekend recap

It was amazing, this weekend we had.  They usually are.  I love family time!  Even if we don't "do" anything, I just love us all being together at home.  I even love that the dogs and cats are a part of us.  :)

Friday night Drew had a friend spend the night.  Nate the great, as I still call him...seven years into knowing him.  Once Nate got here, Graham, Drew, Jonah, Noah, Nate and I all headed up to church.  It was Go Fish night at church.  (Go Fish is a free event for kids in first-fifth grade.  It lasts from 6-9 and they get pizza, play games and make their own ice cream sundaes.  This go round, the kids played Minute To Win It.)  I had signed us up to help...Graham, Drew, and I.  And Nate.  He helped, too. 

It was amazing!  I love helping out at these...because, ultimately, it's this event that led us to this church.  I don't mind working all of them to give back and show my appreciation for all the time and effort that Austin and his crew put into it to make a night like that happen.  Guess how many kids came???  211.  Guess how many adults came to help?  50.  I know, right??  There were so many people there, that all of us ladies that did registration and check-out just stayed put.  We weren't needed anywhere else. 

Jonah and Noah took their friend Myles with them from next door.  He stayed with the third grade group because he was a little nervous about not knowing anybody.  I love when I see the two littles being a good friend to someone.  I told them to not leave Myles' side the entire night...and they didn't.  Even when they went to the restroom.  Funny, huh? 

Saturday was spent at home, tinkering around here.  I did some laundry, took a long, leisurely shower and repainted my fingernails.  I also loaded the dishwasher, started the dishwasher, unloaded the dishwasher and restarted it.  Seriously.  I am ashamed.  We might need to consider firing our maid...she is getting behind on her daily duties. 

We went to my Mom's Saturday night.  I put her to work after we had dinner.  :)  She cut Graham's and Drew's hair and mended Noah's jacket.  I love having a resourceful mom!  I didn't intend on asking her to cut their hair, but the boys had asked me about it, and she jumped all over it.  They look so much better...not as mop-ish as they did when we first went over there. 

Sunday morning we went to church.  It was a great service.  Afterward, Graham went home with his friend Gavin, and the rest of us went to Lenny's for lunch.  We came home, I took a nap, Todd and Drew headed to Drew's Lacrosse practice, then everyone came back home.  Well, Jonah and Noah alternated between being in our backyard to Travis' and Katie's house next door.  We had breakfast for dinner, and the boys played the XBOX the rest of the night. 

It was fabulous.  (And I almost finished my book...plan on doing that today.) 

Don't you just love weekends?  Family time?  I do.  Too bad they don't last longer. 

Happy Monday!  Love to all. 

Words

I was in church this morning singing (in the congregation) and thinking at the same time.  (I know, am I talented, or what??)

Some of the songs I really liked...and some of them were so-so. 

But do you pay attention to the songs you sing in church?  If not, you should!  Once I got past the actual song and started paying attention to the words, I was instantly more worshipful. 

Isn't that strange, how that works?  Worship is an active verb (at least to me it is), and I have to remind myself of that quite often.  Does anything hinder you from worshiping?  The types of songs you sing?  The volume?  The people around you?  I challenge you to focus more intently on what you're singing...and if any of the above things hinder you...see how it goes away when you focus on the words. 

Our church sings lots of hymns. 

Yup, these kinds.  

At first I kind of didn't like it.  Because I come from a church that is known city-wide for their music.  And changing to a church that sings hymns really got to me.  But then I tried to redirect my thinking and tried to really appreciate more of what we were singing.  I am thankful that my kids will know hymns now.  When before, they did not.  Even if it's a little old-fashioned, sometimes, that's a good thing. 

Needless to say, I enjoyed church today.  The songs, the preaching, Sunday school...seeing friends. 

That's one of the best parts.  One friend, in particular, I haven't seen since the Sunday before Christmas.  I just love her to pieces.  When I was walking by our kids' church room, I saw her and had to sneak in for a hug.  

I haven't known her for very long, but I feel like she is a true friend.  We connected at kids' camp last summer, and she just wriggled her way right into my heart.  Apparently the children's pastor knew that she would, because he put us together.  Every week or two I really miss her if I don't see her, so today I was thrilled that she (and her sweet husband) was back.  Words can't explain what this precious friend means to me...but her and her sweet family are just amazing. 

Sometimes it's just good to draw on someone for encouragement.  Maybe that's what she is to me...although, I try to be more of that for her!  Funny how that works...we seem to draw it from one another.  I consider her one of my gifts in life.  :)

Who can you do this for this week?

Find someone!  There is always someone in need of this...but if you feel like you can't, don't feel bad.  Maybe you should stand back and receive some encouragement.  I will try to be that for you this week...on my blog, on Facebook...any way I can.  If there is any way that I can pray for you, please comment on here...or you can email me at allboys@gmail.com.  I would be honored to do that for you this week. 

Another thing I love to do is this:

Yup.  I am a self proclaimed hugger.  I love to give them, I love to receive them, and I consider myself a great one.  Hugger, that is.  I hold on tight...and cling to that moment.  I don't ever think about it...I just do it.  I hug all my friends without even thinking about it...I sure hope they don't mind!  I hug my mom, my dad, my sisters, my in-laws, coworkers...the list could go on.  I love to hug people, most of all my husband and kids.  We've made them into snuggly little fellows and I love it. 

How do you connect with people? 

How do you handle them when they don't connect the same way you do?  Like sometimes people just do not hug.  I have felt really dumb a time or two...or three, but I got over it. 

Find someone and connect with them this week!  I wish you all the best.  Love to all!

Blogging with Pictures

I told my friend that I would try and blog more with pictures.  So, Shari, this is for you.  (Even if it is a pain in the rump!) 

This little (well, not so little anymore) puppy just might be the death of me.  I spend my time divided between loving him to pieces and being mad at him.  This morning, at 9:57, he has already earned his name...Evil Knievel.  That's what Jonah calls him half the time anyway...E.K.  I am looking forward to two milestones with him: obedience school and having him "fixed".  I pray that those two things calm his little happy self down.

Tricia, I promised that I wouldn't post this on Facebook.  And I didn't.  But I think this picture of my sister is the cutest thing ever.  I love the hat she's wearing, and I love the fact that she was freezing when it was taken, so she pulled her hoodie up over her hat.  I caught her when she was laughing...which I'm pretty sure we were laughing at her...and I just love the look on her face.  Like, "OOPS!".  This was taken on New Year's Day...she had ridden out to my Mom's house with us and was subjected to sitting next to some smelly boys for the ride out there and back. 

This is a motivational thing we have going on at school right now.  Although, I'm of the belief that kids should be sweet and helpful ALL the time, I am proud that Jonah got his name on the board.  It happened before Christmas, in his own classroom.  People in the school (teachers, assistants, cafeteria people, principals) wear a Dragon Diamond Award necklace around their neck everyday.  If they catch someone doing a good deed, they give them their necklace.  They have their name put onto this board, and the student gets to pick an award.  The awards are helping in the cafeteria, helping in gym, assisting a pre-school class, eating lunch with a friend...things like that.  Pretty cool. 

Jonah got his name put on here before Christmas.  His class had an auction one day before the break, and Jonah had lots of money (they earn "money" for good behavior, too) leftover.  His friend wanted to buy his sister a puppy a calendar for Christmas but had run out of money.  Jonah offered to buy it for him.  His teacher saw this and took off her Dragon Diamond Award and gave it to him.  She was all teary about it, too...and of course I was too as she told me about it later.  :)  He picked assisting the gym teacher as his reward...and he got to do that on Thursday. 

I know the quality is kinda bad, but this hot air balloon was flying over our school Thursday morning.  Cool, huh?  I think Jonah took this picture. 

Can you read what kind of car this is?  It's a Chevy Impala.  This illustrious person (who cut me off, by the way) thought it would be super fun to add a "P" to the word "Impala"...thus making it a Pimpala.  I know, right?  And yes, I totally took this picture as proof.  And then called my sister Trish to tell her about it, laughing hysterically.  ONLY IN MEMPHIS. 

Isn't this cool?  This was taken last night at Collierville First Baptist church.  There is a HUGE cross that can be seen for miles around, and the kids wanted to hop out of the car to go stand underneath it.  Noah wanted to take a picture, so I gave him my phone, and this is how it turned out.  Pretty cool, huh?  I might have a future photography-lover on my hands. 

Well...this is our week in a nutshell.  With pictures.  Ahem, Shari.  :)  Enjoy your weekend...I know we will!  Love to all!