I'm expecting a new blessing!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am. New little baby Sandlin is due in February. I am about six weeks along now. Feeling some what well, actually. We have wanted a new baby brother or sister for Lily for so long. Oh the blessings the Father has bestowed on our family. I've already hit the garage sales (I am addicted to them, and now with an excuse, mind you) for baby clothes. My mom and sister (THANKS GUYS!), bought me my preggo clothes at one the other day.
Sooo..now i have something else to talk to you all (well, that is if anyone reads this, otherwise I'm talking to myself again) about!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Can you hear me now?
As I find myself back in the blogging swing (I've been busy lately)...I have to wonder..Does anybody read this? I really am wondering, if anybody knows I'm out there. I remember an episode of the twilight zone (I LOVE that show), where a man wakes up to be the last man on earth. I remember him saying...Hey, is Anybody OUT THERE??????...So, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE??????
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
When God takes us by Surprise.
Why is it, that when we ask the Lord for something, we are surprised when He blesses us with what we asked for (and sometimes beyond)?
For the last year, I have been bringing my petition before the Lord, to move, from our current apartment. Its about ready to fall over. The Lady upstairs bathroom floor is caving in. She would land in our bedroom if the floor gives way. I'm not sure who would be more horrified by the falling throne, Her, or us. I can see the headlines now. Woman crushed by falling toilet. Makes for a great headline, and maybe even a great epitaph on the tombstone....but not something I really want to try. The mice and the spiders, are now co-mingling, and they seem to be on a rise up against us. The mold is taking over my basement...and my kitchen sink broke. I have to tell you here, I am a bit of a neat freak. When we lived in a hotel room for a while, I would clean it, before the maids came. So, I am about ready to have a nervous break down here. Still I count my blessings for lights, a roof, and running water (Hey the potty in my bathroom seems stable).
We tried for a home loan but were denied. I was beginning to get down trodden and worry (you know, two things God says NOT to be). My Lily's asthma is getting worse here. The Lady above us in our apartment house, smokes more then our old car did. It filters down to us. I was tempted to put some "help" information in her mail box, but instead...I kept praying...and praying. I heard the Lord, say, "DO you STILL trust me?????" I said, "Yes, Lord, I don't understand, but I trust you".
Yesterday, I was thinking, of the choices we made, that landed us here. I have made some huge bad choices in the last six years. I was thinking, Lord, what are you still trying to teach me??? I know I brought some of this on myself....but PLEASE FATHER, PLEASE restore what the locust have eaten! If not, Lord, SHOW ME, what you want me to do!
Just then, the phone rang. It was a friend from our church. She was supposed to be out of state then but her flights were delayed for the storms we had. She said, I don't know WHY it's taken me so long to understand what God wants me to do, but I do now. The house is going to sit empty in July, would you John and Lily like to move in, when your cousin and wife leave at the end of July? All I want is the utilities paid, and the lawn done...never been smoked in, pretty little two bedroom. We can live there while she lives out of state (about two years I think) Of course I said, yes, and was overjoyed, and what the Lord has given us.
My cup is running over, over flowing. In the two years we live there, we will save so much money towards a home of our own. My little girl prays for a scooter and a puppy everyday. I know the same God, who heard my cry, and restored what I thought was lost, will one day answer her prayer too.
Sometimes the Lord, says, No....Sometimes He says, yes,...Sometimes, He says, Wait. And sometimes, in the silence, when we begin to wonder, if He is even Near, He is saying, "DO YOU TRUST ME, MY CHILD????....and then when He knows we do, He will pour out his blessings upon us. Shaken down and overflowing. Oh, the love of the Father for His children.
For the last year, I have been bringing my petition before the Lord, to move, from our current apartment. Its about ready to fall over. The Lady upstairs bathroom floor is caving in. She would land in our bedroom if the floor gives way. I'm not sure who would be more horrified by the falling throne, Her, or us. I can see the headlines now. Woman crushed by falling toilet. Makes for a great headline, and maybe even a great epitaph on the tombstone....but not something I really want to try. The mice and the spiders, are now co-mingling, and they seem to be on a rise up against us. The mold is taking over my basement...and my kitchen sink broke. I have to tell you here, I am a bit of a neat freak. When we lived in a hotel room for a while, I would clean it, before the maids came. So, I am about ready to have a nervous break down here. Still I count my blessings for lights, a roof, and running water (Hey the potty in my bathroom seems stable).
We tried for a home loan but were denied. I was beginning to get down trodden and worry (you know, two things God says NOT to be). My Lily's asthma is getting worse here. The Lady above us in our apartment house, smokes more then our old car did. It filters down to us. I was tempted to put some "help" information in her mail box, but instead...I kept praying...and praying. I heard the Lord, say, "DO you STILL trust me?????" I said, "Yes, Lord, I don't understand, but I trust you".
Yesterday, I was thinking, of the choices we made, that landed us here. I have made some huge bad choices in the last six years. I was thinking, Lord, what are you still trying to teach me??? I know I brought some of this on myself....but PLEASE FATHER, PLEASE restore what the locust have eaten! If not, Lord, SHOW ME, what you want me to do!
Just then, the phone rang. It was a friend from our church. She was supposed to be out of state then but her flights were delayed for the storms we had. She said, I don't know WHY it's taken me so long to understand what God wants me to do, but I do now. The house is going to sit empty in July, would you John and Lily like to move in, when your cousin and wife leave at the end of July? All I want is the utilities paid, and the lawn done...never been smoked in, pretty little two bedroom. We can live there while she lives out of state (about two years I think) Of course I said, yes, and was overjoyed, and what the Lord has given us.
My cup is running over, over flowing. In the two years we live there, we will save so much money towards a home of our own. My little girl prays for a scooter and a puppy everyday. I know the same God, who heard my cry, and restored what I thought was lost, will one day answer her prayer too.
Sometimes the Lord, says, No....Sometimes He says, yes,...Sometimes, He says, Wait. And sometimes, in the silence, when we begin to wonder, if He is even Near, He is saying, "DO YOU TRUST ME, MY CHILD????....and then when He knows we do, He will pour out his blessings upon us. Shaken down and overflowing. Oh, the love of the Father for His children.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Be not afraid.
I read somewhere that The Bible mentions 365 times, "DO NOT BE AFRAID". That would be one for every day of the year. I know very well, that when trying times come, it is so easy to forget the Lord said that. It's so easy to become overwhelmed with what this world has to offer. We are faced with death, disease, loss of jobs, home foreclosures, fire, famine, car accidents, violence, and about a thousand other things, that mess up OUR plans. We plan for happy marriages, only to have those cut short. We plan our careers, only to lose our job. We plan for large families and are faced with infertility. We plan to watch our children grow, only for the Lord to take them HOME sooner than we planned.
In all that, it is sooo easy to question, what God is doing. We are human, and we don't understand it all. If we did, I believe it would make God smaller in our eyes. But the truth remains through it all...that God is God, and the same through it all. He is the same, in the famine, as He is in the feast. He loves us the same, and watches over us the same. He expects our trust, and more importantly He deserves it.
I need to remember that in the big and the small things, and lately I have struggled there. When we can't get the house we want. When my husband hasn't gotten the promotion he needs, when we can't seem to have more children, when money is short, and cost is high...that it has NOT taken my God by surprise, and He expects me to TRUST, and to NOT be AFRAID, or WORRIED...for my ticket is punched, my destination is set, and the Lord, is at the wheel.
In all that, it is sooo easy to question, what God is doing. We are human, and we don't understand it all. If we did, I believe it would make God smaller in our eyes. But the truth remains through it all...that God is God, and the same through it all. He is the same, in the famine, as He is in the feast. He loves us the same, and watches over us the same. He expects our trust, and more importantly He deserves it.
I need to remember that in the big and the small things, and lately I have struggled there. When we can't get the house we want. When my husband hasn't gotten the promotion he needs, when we can't seem to have more children, when money is short, and cost is high...that it has NOT taken my God by surprise, and He expects me to TRUST, and to NOT be AFRAID, or WORRIED...for my ticket is punched, my destination is set, and the Lord, is at the wheel.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Is Mothers Day over?
Its the day after, my calenders reading of "Mothers Day". Today there will no special dinners, or fancy gifts. No extra rest. No one will say Happy Mothers Day.
Today, I will still be recognized. The same little girl that shouted "MOOOMMMY" in desperation, yesterday, will do the same today. I will still get the same Hugs, the same kisses, and the same I love you Mommy's. The same little girl who curled up in my lap, yesterday will do the same for story time today. She will still color me pictures, and follow me from room to room. I am STILL Mommy. I didn't need a calender to remind me. I am still the one who kisses boo boos, changes clothes, and potty trains. Today the floors will be cleaned, and dinner will be fixed. Faces will be wiped, and bath time bubbles will abound.
Today I am still blessed. My job is the same, and Still wonderful and grand in nature. There IS NO greater calling. I have been entrusted with something far more valuable than gold, silver, or government secrets. I have been entrusted with something far more precious that rubies, or diamonds. I have been entrusted with one of GODS KIDS. See, Lily is not mine. I may be her Mom, but she belongs to the Lord. I didn't create her, purchase her, or do anything worth enough to earn her...I have been entrusted to CARE for her, for as long as the Lord deems it so.
I can think of NO BETTER PRIVILEGE outside of my salvation.
Three and a half years ago, I sat at the beside of a tiny baby named Lily. I was unsure if the Father would let me keep her. She was so ill, and doctors said she would not live. I remember praying, and praying, not just for her, but for my own heart. I laid her at the feet of Jesus. I couldn't walk away though. I knelt beside the Lord, and waited..praying. I waited for His final answer. I knew that if He should choose that her time on this earth be done, be it though short, that Gods plan was not done. Her life would NOT be in vain..and that MY time as a MOM was not over..for I was still her Mommy, even if she was to be in heaven.
The Lord chose to let her stay with us. I know each day of hers and Mine is planned by the Lord. Each one has a reason..and each one will be accomplished as the Lord wills it to.
Tomorrow my day will mean nothing special on the calender. It will just be plain old May 13. But it will be ANOTHER DAY AS A MOM!!!!!!!! I can't think of any better reason to celebrate..can you?
Today, I will still be recognized. The same little girl that shouted "MOOOMMMY" in desperation, yesterday, will do the same today. I will still get the same Hugs, the same kisses, and the same I love you Mommy's. The same little girl who curled up in my lap, yesterday will do the same for story time today. She will still color me pictures, and follow me from room to room. I am STILL Mommy. I didn't need a calender to remind me. I am still the one who kisses boo boos, changes clothes, and potty trains. Today the floors will be cleaned, and dinner will be fixed. Faces will be wiped, and bath time bubbles will abound.
Today I am still blessed. My job is the same, and Still wonderful and grand in nature. There IS NO greater calling. I have been entrusted with something far more valuable than gold, silver, or government secrets. I have been entrusted with something far more precious that rubies, or diamonds. I have been entrusted with one of GODS KIDS. See, Lily is not mine. I may be her Mom, but she belongs to the Lord. I didn't create her, purchase her, or do anything worth enough to earn her...I have been entrusted to CARE for her, for as long as the Lord deems it so.
I can think of NO BETTER PRIVILEGE outside of my salvation.
Three and a half years ago, I sat at the beside of a tiny baby named Lily. I was unsure if the Father would let me keep her. She was so ill, and doctors said she would not live. I remember praying, and praying, not just for her, but for my own heart. I laid her at the feet of Jesus. I couldn't walk away though. I knelt beside the Lord, and waited..praying. I waited for His final answer. I knew that if He should choose that her time on this earth be done, be it though short, that Gods plan was not done. Her life would NOT be in vain..and that MY time as a MOM was not over..for I was still her Mommy, even if she was to be in heaven.
The Lord chose to let her stay with us. I know each day of hers and Mine is planned by the Lord. Each one has a reason..and each one will be accomplished as the Lord wills it to.
Tomorrow my day will mean nothing special on the calender. It will just be plain old May 13. But it will be ANOTHER DAY AS A MOM!!!!!!!! I can't think of any better reason to celebrate..can you?
Friday, May 9, 2008
Good Hair Day...
I suppose the Lord does this to keep me from getting too Vain. I have to say I am having a WONDERFUL hair day...and NO ONE IS HERE TO SEE IT. No one came to visit. DH is gone till late, and I have not been anywhere. Tomorrow is Moms Day out on the Town..and what do you want to bet, it will be anything BUT a good hair day.
The Lord sure has a sense of humor...
Good thing I've learned to laugh about it too..LOL
The Lord sure has a sense of humor...
Good thing I've learned to laugh about it too..LOL
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Where are we going?
Last week my husband and I set off on an adventure of a lifetime (okay, so my life is boring, normally). We were going to meet a friend I had met over the internet (gasp, thats how DH and I met too) on a Christian site about raising Godly children. We had never met in real life, but our bond as sisters in Christ had grown over the months, and we decided to meet! On Thursday before leaving we noticed a tire going flat., $115.32 later it was replaced. Late last Thursday we packed up the car and drove the long distance to Chicago. DH said it would take four hours. Usually he knows where he's going..so I trusted that in FOUR hours we would hit our hotel room, and I could fall in bed and go to sleep. I have an allergy issue, and the medicine I took was stronger than I though. 20 minutes after leaving, I fell fast asleep. 3 hours later I woke up. I said Hey..we should almost be there.
Ahem...well we were sort of. We DID arrive in Chicago safely. Finding the hotel room..not so easy. We stopped and asked for directions from a nice police man (who told us our tire on the other side of the car was going flat). He was wrong about the tire, AND the directions. He sent us 30 min the wrong direction. An half an hour later we asked yet another policeman for directions. He too sent us on a wild goose chase. I was beginning to think this was a game they play with lost people from Michigan. They must have been radioing each other laughing at these poor people from Michigan. We finally stopped at another hotel (a competition to the one we were going to LOL) and would you believe they told us just how to get there? Finally we were able to crash in our bed, at close to 4:00 in the morning. Three hours later, we were awakened by a hotel front desk monster who told us there was a billing issue. Bleary eyed and tired but excited we met our friend at 11:30 in the morning at the hotel. Off we went to find our previously picked out lunch place BUBBA GUMPS. It was located in Navy Pier. It took a bit of work, but we found that too. After a delicious lunch enjoyed by three adults and three kids (her two and our Lily), we were off again. We walked around Navy Pier first, and then decided to head off to the zoo. We asked directions yet again (anyone notice a pattern here?)..and headed off to find a trolley to take us to a bus to take us to yet another bus to take us to the zoo. Saving you from the boring sit and wait ride and wait details...we finally found a nice young guy on a bus who told us (or my friends little boy Quenten that is) that he was headed to meet his wife. He told us when exactly to get off. He'd been there before, and told us to have a wonderful time. What a God send he was. We might have been riding the bus all day! We were never so happy to get to the zoo...and never so sad to see it closed in 30 minutes.
What we saw was wonderful, mind you, but I missed the giraffes, my favorites.
We truly truly enjoyed our time there, and our time with our friend...but our travels did make me think...
In this world we will receive MANY directions, from MANY sources. Everyone thinks they know HOW you should get there, what you should do, and where you should go. They all have "maps" to shove at us, books to read, advice to give, etc. If we listened to all of them, we would be wandering around in search of the right answer forever. We would miss the beauty of what we set out to see to begin with all because we were too busy searching, wandering, and hoping the next person knows.
The secret? Ask the one who KNOWS. Ask the one, that built each path, and walked before us. Ask the one, who knows where we have already been, where we want to be, and most importantly where we NEED to be. He knows where we will end up, and each step we will take. He knew long before we ever took our first breath. He even gave us a map. Its His Holy Word the Bible. It tells us the how to and the where to' and the how to. He doesn't give it to us, and then leave us to wander hoping we understand..oh no. For if we TRULY trust Him, and we put our hand in HIS...He will take us there Himself. He'll tell us when we are done. He knows where our "zoo' is. And when we reach our final destination...the place we have traveled so long to get to, I can guarantee, we won't see a sign that says closes in 30 minutes. Oh now. we can stay forever!
Someday I want to go back to Chicago. I want to see the zebras and the giraffes. But even more so then that...I long for the day, when I have reached the final stop, and the Lord is waiting. Heaven...oh I can't wait. I wonder if heaven has giraffes?
p.s Hey Nex!!!! To the LEFT next time.
Ahem...well we were sort of. We DID arrive in Chicago safely. Finding the hotel room..not so easy. We stopped and asked for directions from a nice police man (who told us our tire on the other side of the car was going flat). He was wrong about the tire, AND the directions. He sent us 30 min the wrong direction. An half an hour later we asked yet another policeman for directions. He too sent us on a wild goose chase. I was beginning to think this was a game they play with lost people from Michigan. They must have been radioing each other laughing at these poor people from Michigan. We finally stopped at another hotel (a competition to the one we were going to LOL) and would you believe they told us just how to get there? Finally we were able to crash in our bed, at close to 4:00 in the morning. Three hours later, we were awakened by a hotel front desk monster who told us there was a billing issue. Bleary eyed and tired but excited we met our friend at 11:30 in the morning at the hotel. Off we went to find our previously picked out lunch place BUBBA GUMPS. It was located in Navy Pier. It took a bit of work, but we found that too. After a delicious lunch enjoyed by three adults and three kids (her two and our Lily), we were off again. We walked around Navy Pier first, and then decided to head off to the zoo. We asked directions yet again (anyone notice a pattern here?)..and headed off to find a trolley to take us to a bus to take us to yet another bus to take us to the zoo. Saving you from the boring sit and wait ride and wait details...we finally found a nice young guy on a bus who told us (or my friends little boy Quenten that is) that he was headed to meet his wife. He told us when exactly to get off. He'd been there before, and told us to have a wonderful time. What a God send he was. We might have been riding the bus all day! We were never so happy to get to the zoo...and never so sad to see it closed in 30 minutes.
What we saw was wonderful, mind you, but I missed the giraffes, my favorites.
We truly truly enjoyed our time there, and our time with our friend...but our travels did make me think...
In this world we will receive MANY directions, from MANY sources. Everyone thinks they know HOW you should get there, what you should do, and where you should go. They all have "maps" to shove at us, books to read, advice to give, etc. If we listened to all of them, we would be wandering around in search of the right answer forever. We would miss the beauty of what we set out to see to begin with all because we were too busy searching, wandering, and hoping the next person knows.
The secret? Ask the one who KNOWS. Ask the one, that built each path, and walked before us. Ask the one, who knows where we have already been, where we want to be, and most importantly where we NEED to be. He knows where we will end up, and each step we will take. He knew long before we ever took our first breath. He even gave us a map. Its His Holy Word the Bible. It tells us the how to and the where to' and the how to. He doesn't give it to us, and then leave us to wander hoping we understand..oh no. For if we TRULY trust Him, and we put our hand in HIS...He will take us there Himself. He'll tell us when we are done. He knows where our "zoo' is. And when we reach our final destination...the place we have traveled so long to get to, I can guarantee, we won't see a sign that says closes in 30 minutes. Oh now. we can stay forever!
Someday I want to go back to Chicago. I want to see the zebras and the giraffes. But even more so then that...I long for the day, when I have reached the final stop, and the Lord is waiting. Heaven...oh I can't wait. I wonder if heaven has giraffes?
p.s Hey Nex!!!! To the LEFT next time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
