Update

I honestly can't believe how fast time flies! Summer is over and we have been in school for 3 weeks now. We haven't had one regular week of school yet. Something has seemed to disrupt each week. However, we are still on track.

I have been feeling very frustrated with not having a balance between school and being a good wife. I feel like it is my responsibility to work with the kids, and yet I need to spend time with my husband. I am praying and trying to get a better balance. I had hoped to work housecleaning in with/around school, but it seems like on any given moment, I am needed by one or the other of my two children. I don't know how moms with more than two kids at home do it! Right now I am sick, so everything seems overwhelming. I am going to try to realize what things are really important and let the other things fall to the wayside. The house will always need cleaning, so Matt and the kids, and spending more time with them, should come first.

I will try to keep more current on the blog. Take care.

Changes...

Life is crazy. Lately I have noticed that I am running around in circles for no apparent reason. I have been treating life as a business. I know that it is important to be organized, but organization isn't more important than being with family and showing God's love to others.

Life is hard. The kids grow up. They grow more distant, even though there is that comradary, there is an important step that is taking place where they are becoming more individual. Who am I, who are we, after the kids leave? I have been convicted of the type of wife I have been. Yet, I am not sure how to articulate those feelings into words. I need to spend more time with my husband so that we don't lose sight of who we are.

Life is full of joy. In the midst of it all, I have a wonderful husband who has me in stitches most days. He is a blessing.

I think I put too much weight on who I am and what I am to and for people. I need to just feel free to be the woman God has made me to be. Lay aside the guilt and the martyrdom, and move on. I read a blog earlier where the woman stated that God loves us broken because He gave us Christ, broken on the cross. He wants to be the One to make us whole. I need to stop looking to the people around me to fill the broken places and look to the One who is calling me to Him each step along the way.

Back to school

So, after a 25 day break for Christmas and New Years, the kids finally headed back to school. Garrett trudged off to the Academy and Olivia trudged to her chair in the dining room. It was a good day. A little rough getting started, but good non-the-less.

Matt started a podcast with his childhood friend, Joe Masar and our friend, Kerr Ballantyne. It is very interesting, but mostly, a lot of fun seeing him do something that he really enjoys with people that he enjoys being with. I am proud of him/them and am having fun listening to them.

Life is good. I thank God for the reminder from His word today that He created the world with his outstretched arm and NOTHING is too difficult for Him! What a blessing to know that He holds the world in His hands and we are in that world.

Rest

Today's sermon was about resting in God. Our assistant pastor pointed out that God warns us not to pass by the rest that He offers us. So, today, I rested. I read, cruised the internet and took a short nap. I played on the Wii and enjoyed being irresponsible. It was fun. Now, how to squeeze that rest into regular life once we get back from Christmas break? I guess I will have to ponder that one for a while. Until then I leave you with this...Hebrews 4:1 " Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it."

Day 2: Choosing Joy

Today was my first day back to work in a few weeks. I have been struggling b/c I am the second receptionist for Saturday mornings at Weight Watchers. I LOVE my job. The thing that I am struggling with is that we have to have 30 members in order for me to stay. If there are less than 30, I don't get to work. Today, we had 27. :~( I will work next Saturday and if there aren't 30 I have to wait until there are two weeks in a row with at least 30 members. SO, what I am thankful for today is that our coordinator has given me every other Wednesday. That way, I can still work even if Saturdays don't work out.

I am also thankful for an hour and a half long conversation with my dearest friend, Gill ("Jill"), in Moscow. What a wonderful time of being encouraged in my Christian walk. How I thank God for Gill and her husband Don; for the roll that they played in Matt's and my life as well as how they are mentoring others. Those that do and do not know the Lord as their Savior. They are definitely "Salt and Light" in the world.

Joy

Happy 2010! I have to say, I am cautiously optimistic about this year. I know that things aren't going well in the world and there won't be peace until Christ comes again to take us home. However, I have decided to Choose Joy this year. It is amazing how I already feel more positive today. In James 1 verse 2 it says "Count it all joy, my brothers, WHEN you meet trials of various kinds." Did you notice the "When", not "if", you face trials? That means that they will come, trials, that is. The great thing about it is that God is the Potter and we are the clay and He uses these things to mold us and make us into the vessels that He wants us to be to be used for His glory. Amazing, isn't it? That the God of creation would take the time to work in such personal ways in our individual lives? He is so Good. I just thank Him and praise Him for all that He has blessed me with. So, this year, I choose joy. There are hard times to come for sure, but I rest in the fact that He is using those things in my life. I will be posting in the sidebar something to be thankful for each day! God bless you and keep you and make His light to shine upon you!

Family Pictures

This year's Christmas pictures were taken in our own backyard. We are sitting on a bench that my dad made for me. Garrett (top left) is now 14! Olivia (top right), reminds me everyday how close she is to being 13. Matt, our photographer, had me pose like Mary Engelbright's "Queen of
Everything!" Matt is so handsome and such a great husband and dad!