Typical West Texas weather.... after living in these parts for about 4 years (if you combine our time in Lubbock & Abilene) you'd think I'd be "used" to it... but alas, no... I'm not! Hail storms, deafening thunder and blinding lightening at 4 AM is NOT my idea of a restful nights sleep. Needless to say I woke up at 7:10-- after my first alarm had stopped going off, and well into the second. Thankfully since we had feasted on breakfast for dinner last night, the kids were already happily eating leftovers: chocolate chip muffins, blueberry muffins, banana bread, and sausage, when I came into the kitchen. Days like this I am SO thankful the Lord blessed me with "morning kiddos". The second round of hail started right around 7:15, and I was wondering if we were even going to make it to school. I had decided we would wait and see what it looked like, and sure enough, at 7:30 is was raining in sheets, but the hail had subsided. So, we made it to school, with LOTS of prayer, and we have another successful morning in the books... only 10 more to go! Can I get an AMEN!?!?!?
Anyway, when Chloe & I got home, I was in desperate need of a mommy make-over. I was grumpy, slightly wet, cold, and T-I-R-E-D! Thankfully all those "ailments" can be cured with one lovely cup of joy... a hot yummy cup of coffee (with chocolate creamer & spray whipped cream on top!) Hey... desperate times call for desperate measures! LOL! I know you are all breathing easier knowing that I am doing much better and find myself to be in a much more pleasant state of mind, and I'm only half way through my first cup!
I'm sure you've noticed by now, my attitude was not the only thing that got a "make-over" this morning... I decided it was time to add some "spring and bling" to my blog!! I've really been trying to focus on every day being a gift. This has been on my heart a lot. Sunday I was asked to join in prayer for a little 3 yr old son (Baily) of a close friend who fell into a pool while playing in his backyard. His family is now praying for a miracle to bring him back (tests on Tuesday showed no brain activity). I also have a friend going through an extreme trial as her 4 year old daughter (Elise) was diagnoised with an extremely rare inoperable brain tumor (only 25 known cases world-wide). This is an excerpt from her journal entry yesterday... it spoke so vividly to me and I wanted to share it here so as to encourage you too!
"This experience with Elise has truly taught me patience, has shown me that there are things worth getting irritated about & there are things that are so not worth the energy. I guess that life is all about lessons...this one is a biggie & I'm going to try to take every ounce of good out of this situation, try to learn every lesson that God is throwing at me. Who knows, maybe others will be able to do the same, maybe Elise & I, our family, can be examples to others about what is really important in life...and it's definitely not getting soaked in a rainstorm, or dropping 'things' in mud puddles. Believe me, I know that everyday life is tough, it's hard not to snap when the kids are acting up, it's hard to see the good when things just aren't going the way you want them to. But if you can make the decision to be happy, be content with who you are, what you have, and know that you will never again be able to experience that exact moment, maybe it won't be so hard to appreciate all of those little things that might otherwise slide by unnoticed, it won't be so hard to smile instead of freak out when your kid jumps right INTO the huge mud puddle on the sidewalk instead of going around it! I'm going to try to let go just a little of my tight grip on control that I think that I have...because I'm finding out fast that God is really in control of everything that truly matters."
Please remember these two precious children and their families in your prayers. I know I'm going to make every effort to cherish every moment with my kids, to hug them a little longer, squeeze a little tigher, and love them with no boundaries. Afterall, every day we have is a gift!
A Slow Cooker Thanksgiving
6 months ago
Love the new look! Very "you" with the bling! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWendy's post is one that I really tried to take to heart today, too. I don't know how she does it every day, but she has the best outlook possible in spite of what they're facing. As always, many prayers for Elise, and for Bailey's family.