I came across this song at A Holy Experience blog.
It's been on replay in my head all week.
I've been feeling like it was so unfair that the last years of my grandfather's life were full of confusion, jumbled memories and an inability to truly communicate with us.
I have been missing him for a long time and it felt like that time had been stolen from us.
But I also believe in a God who is sovereign and in control of everything.
Even the things that leave us asking "Why?".
I learned a while ago to not fall victim to my feelings or emotions.
It's O.K. to feel them but not to let them dictate how I will respond.
I have a firm foundation, one which I am overwhelmingly thankful for during the storms of life.
Here's what I know:
All things work together for good to those who love God.
Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God.
God knows the plans He has for us.

There is a reason, an answer to my why.
I will respond with faith, trusting my God who I know to be good.
And I sing -

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by

 

He is faithful.
He is for me.
In Him, we are more than conquerors.

Over and over I repeat these things in my head.
It's one of the reasons I love to fill my day with music that reminds me of these things.
A life can look so perfect from the outside looking in.
But even the happiest have struggles and trials and mountains to climb.
We are all the same.
Only facing trials of varying intensity and flavour.

Reminders.
Over and over again.

Hope casts out all fear.
It is finished.
He has overcome.
He never fails.

And as I whisper into the ear of a babe so sweet
I love you.
I will always love you.
I just can't stop.
There's nothing you can do to make me stop loving you...
I think of Him.
In whose image I am made.
Who's child I am.
My mother love is but a drop of what His is.
As strongly and fiercely as I love,
It is imperfect and flawed in a million ways.

But His...

It is strong
Reliable
Forever
Unending

Take comfort, believer
For you are His
Over and over again
Take comfort

*Thoughts inspired by this song:

Q. 1. Who made you?
A. God.

Q. 2. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.

Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things ?
A. For his own glory.

Readng through the Old Testament as quickly as I am, I am amazed at how terrible the people God uses are. I mean, really! They are not even close to perfect! The drama is comparable to an episode of Grey's Anatomy! And their list of screw ups is pretty endless. Ever read the story of Samson?? Go read it now. Judges 13-16... Shocked?? I mostly remembered the censored Sunday School details myself. Then I read this story about this womanizing, blood-thirsty brute. Yikes! No wonder they censored it! In fact, I'm pretty sure most of these OT stories if put on the big screen would have an 'R' rating. They're pretty bad, even by today's standards. And yet God sees fit to work through these flawed, messed up characters to write His perfect plan of redemption.

The wonderful thing is, He still does - "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Reading about all these Old Testament men and women, I found myself comforted by the thought that despite my imperfections, despite being prone to wander from the God I love, despite beng rough around the edges, God still works out His plan for me and through me perfectly. He loves to use the messed up, flawed, hopeless, overwhelmed, unorganized, rash, despairing, don't-have-their-act-together kind of people. He gets the glory and we get the joy!

Then a friend posted this video on FB and I thought it fit perfectly with these thoughts:

On the verge of 2011, I have to say I am very excited! Not for any particular reason...there are no big vacations planned, no babies expected and no big purchases that I forsee...but I am looking forward to this year. Really, I have no reason not to! Life has been good! Matt and I were just saying to each other tonight how much we are enjoying our little family and the stage of life we are in with them. I have nothing but good thoughts for the year to come! I'm sure there will be bumps along the way (there always are!) but we are learning more and more to trust God with whatever comes our way (or doesn't), to support and love each other and to be content no matter the circumstances.

But to begin sharing thoughts for the year to come, I thought it would be nice to take a minute to look back on the past year and all we have to be thankful for...



Daddy/Daughter date night!

Daddy plays the best games!



Piper and I in Rocky Harbor, Newfoundland.



The beginning of our little homeschool classroom!



My first ever homemade bread loaves!

So now, looking ahead to the coming year, I look forward to more personal growth and the joys of watching my little family as it continues to blossom! I can't wait to hear Taitum say new words and maybe even talk in sentences! I am excited for Piper to learn to identify all the letters in the alphabet and know their phonetic sounds!  I`m already marking the calendar for the mini getaways Matt and I have planned! I am super excited for the winter unit I am in the process of putting together for the girls and to try out some of the recipes from my new Kneadlessly Simple: Fabulous, Fuss-Free, No-Knead Breads book I got for Christmas! Such simple things but I can't wait! This is life at its finest!

Secondly, I've recently signed up for the 365Project where you take a photo a day. I'm not much of a photographer but I do like the challenge of summing up each day with one particular picture. As well, I am thoroughly looking forward to the end result - a picture journal of an entire year!

God has been faithful for the past 26 years of my life and I know He will continue to be no matter what comes my way. That's why I'm excited about a New Year - Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

So here's to 2011 and all that it holds!

I'll leave you with one of my all time favorite songs, one that I will sing year after year until all my years are done.

Sara Groves: He's Always Been Faithful Lyrics

The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me.

I'd heard about this video from my Dad but only just came across it this morning. Piper and I watched it together and LOVE it! So adorable! Enjoy!

"The process of shaping the child shapes also the mother herself." ~Elizabeth Elliot

I was reminded today about how true this is. But first, some background....

Matt and I have been attending a parenting series at our church recently. They have been showing DVDs based on the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp. Although we have read the book before, we are still learning SO much! The emphasis is put on the need to deal with what's going on in your child's heart rather then just trying to correct their outward behaviour. Too often we try to manipulate our kids to get them to do what we want and to act how we want without caring about whether their actions are truly coming from their heart. In essence, we are creating little hypocrites by attempting to 'clean' the outside without first considering what is happening inside!

Although we haven't gotten through the whole series yet, we are trying already to implement some of what we are learning. The last video we saw emphasized the need for communication and talking with them about what is going on, why they are acting the way they are, guiding them through it and pointing them to the God who transforms hearts. We have been teaching Piper lately about having the right attitudes about things. Often she gets angry or sad about different situations and we have discussed with her about how such attitudes and actions are not loving towards God or those around her. We are teaching her to pray about how she is feeling and ask God to help her and to change her heart, since only He can. I must say it is pretty adorable to see her do this and then go on with what she was doing before with a better attitude. But it is encouraging too to see this habit being formed in her life already. Truthfully, I'm learning to apply this in my own life as well!

So this brings me back to the quote about how shaping the child shapes the parent as well. Today Piper needed my help in the bathroom. While I was in there with her, she noticed her bath toys sitting in the closet and asked for the rubber ducky. I said no, that he was only for bath time and that (I thought) was the end of it. I went back to the kitchen to continue making some cookie dough. From the kitchen, I could see Pipe sitting on her bed looking forlorn. I wasn't really sure why (I'd completely forgot about the ducky incident) but I continued to keep an eye on her to see what was happening. Soon I heard her talking, "God, I sad. Please help me. Amen." I stopped what I was doing and went in. I asked her what she was talking to God about. She explained that she was sad because she couldn't have the rubber duck so she told God! Needless to say my heart was filled with joy to see that my little girl was truly learning that God is the one to go to when there is something going on in your heart. But it was also so humbling for me. How often to I go through my day annoyed, anxious, angry or just plain sad and not take it to God? What my girl is learning is something I need to remember and cultivate in my own life - "Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you."

I came across the following on John Piper's site, DesiringGod.org and thought it so true and worth sharing...

An Encouragement and Precaution for Parents

Jesus tells of two sons:

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir,” but did not go. (Matthew 21:28-30)

I draw this advice for parents from these words: Do not despair of the rebel, and do not assume the heart of the compliant child is with you.
Which means practically, pray like crazy for both of them. And keep showing both of them the gospel of undeserved, blood-bought grace.

Really great advice for a Mama who might possibly have one of each! ;)

As a Christian, I consider every year the pros and cons of celebrating Halloween. On the one hand, I have so many good and fun memories of Halloween as a child and even now see it as an enjoyable, imaginative event. But I am also not so fond of the scary stuff and the gruesome, evil things it can sometimes 'celebrate'. And so I think its my responsibility, especially as a parent, to evaluate what our family's motives are in participating. This year I came across an article which I feel sums up my thoughts and feelings about Halloween well. This paragraph in particular:

Many of the ideas and rituals that have contributed to the Halloween mish-mash aren’t congruent with our beliefs. However, setting aside times to remember or honor those we love that have passed away (hopefully to be with our Savior Jesus) is not a bad idea. [Referring to "All Saints'/Souls' Day"] On a less somber note, wearing Spider-man costumes, making funny faces on vegetables, and engaging in neighborhood activities where one can both give and receive hospitality is not something we oppose. Fictional fantasy tales of monsters and elves even scary ones are not wholly inappropriate either, whether punctuated on this particular weekend or sprinkled throughout the year in classic tales from authors including Tolkien and Lewis. We regard Halloween as a second-hand issue and ask that every Christian examine their response to the modern-day Halloween celebration in our culture.

http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2009/10/29/the-history-of-halloween-revisted/

I encourage you to read the whole article, especially if you are a Christian struggling with the good and the bad of October 31st. Considering that today is Reformation Day too, I add the words of Martin Luther "to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen. " Whatever your stance may be on the whole Halloween issue, be sure it is one that does not go against conscience.