SOS

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
 
I have never gone several months without a new post on this blog.  I suppose that shows how busy and sick my family and I have been.  Sorry folks.  This blog took the "back burner" when it came to dealing with life!  With a new baby coming, I'm hoping (and praying) to get things back into a routine and going again.  After all, this is the first time we ARE NOT moving 1-2 weeks after having a new baby!  Isn't that awesome???  My goal is to have things as organized as possible for the arrival of baby Owen.  I must say that having this goal in mind has been somewhat humbling because I know I cannot do this myself.  I know that I need God's help.  The verse from Matthew posted above has been a great encouragement, as well as prayer.   However, I need the help of others as well.  This has been hard.  Blame my pride.  It's hard for me to ask for help!  The truth is, I limp around most days because of hip pain from a previous injury that won't go away.  And, of course, there is the exhuastion that comes along with pregnancy.  Oh, and there is the fact that I don't want to end up with HELLP Syndrome again.  So, with all those factors coming into play, I must hush those prideful voices in my head and ask for help.  If you can lend a hand or two, please let me know!  My household routines have fell to the wayside this year because my family has been well for only two weeks out of this year so far.  It sounds ridiculous, I know.  We've never been sick this much, but I guess these things happen sometimes!  I have 10 weeks---if it goes as planned---and we know from experience that doesn't always happen---to get things organized!

And, because I don't like to post without photos, here is one for your enjoyment:

I Needed the Quiet

****I came across this poem on a blog I read. It is such a good reminder of the need for quiet time with God.****

I Needed The Quiet

I needed the quiet so he drew me aside
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled,
But gently, so gently my cross he upheld,
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things,
Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never heard of when active and gay,
He loved me so greatly he drew me away.
I needed the quiet, no prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead –
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide
I needed the quiet so he drew me aside.

– Alice H. Mortenson

Mommy FAIL! -Laundry-

I am totally copying this post from My Blessed Life (hope she doesn't mind!), but I love how it brings me to share a bit of "real life" in my home...a bit of honesty. So, I am sharing with you this week my "fail" that has plagued me lately because it has been happening so much...

I washed the same load of laundry three times this week. That's right...THREE TIMES! I always got distracted and with this warmer weather, well, it just went sour. Then, I dried the same load three times as well, because I kept forgetting about it, and my intention was to get out most of the wrinkles before I folded it. Sigh. I'm sure there will be a day when I can do a load of laundry without doing a million other things at the same time (i.e. changing a diaper, refilling a sippy cup, taking a toddler potty, cleaning up a spill, giving a little one a nap...). These things just remind me of my reliance on Christ, even in the little things like helping me remember my laundry. Yes. He cares even about that.*

*To listen to a WONDERFUL sermon that my pastor preached on that subject just this past week, CLICK HERE

What Does it Matter?

Often I find myself frustrated because I can never keep my kitchen clean. Or my laundry pile under control. Or organize the ever-growing piles of paperwork in the office. Or organize my time. Or organize anything for that matter. I find that most people will say the same things in response to my frustrations. First---that it will happen in time, and second, that it doesn't matter in the long run. But, what if it DOES matter to me? What if it stresses me out to see the kitchen a mess (and when I say a "mess" I mean it looks that a miniature tornado passed through the kitchen and destroyed everything in its path.) It does matter to me when my husband looks in his empty underwear drawer and asks if he has any underwear to wear...I had no idea he was even out because I'm not that organized. It does matter to me to be organized....I want to be organized so we don't loose important tax papers or my keys---including a very expensive automatic key for our Camry (both of which happened this week). It matters to me because when life is chaotic, I FEEL it, like a weight on my shoulders. It makes me weary. I suppose it is okay to fail at things and in the long run, it may not matter that much. But, I think it is okay to conclude that my life, and my family's life would be a whole lot better, that is, it would run a whole lot smoother if I was more organized. Perhaps I should go visit Flylady.net, like several have suggested. I've looked at the site before. Maybe I will get inspired once more. I guess I am learning to show myself some grace. I do have a toddler and an infant. My attention is constantly on taking care of them. As my mom reminded me the other day, they are my MINISTRY. I'm just thankful that even when I lack the ability to show myself grace, God continues to show me His grace.

Oh, Anxiety!

Photo Credit

I am in the habit of being anxious lately. I'm anxious about getting organized because if we organized our time better, I wouldn't be anxious about getting ready for church on time, not having Troy's shirts ironed, not having time to clip coupons before I go grocery shopping, not having time to exercise....anxious about the yard looking terrible after the rain...anxious about making the family's dental appointments...anxious about eating more fruits and veggies...feeding Jackson more fruits and veggies...anxious about getting Madelyn on a nap schedule...or wondering if there is such a thing for her...anxious about....

Well. You get the picture, right? I would say that lately anxiety has ruled most of my life. A million thoughts are going through my mind at any given moment and there seems to be no stopping them. Quick prayers, sometimes outloud in somewhat of a desperate plea for help, are said, but I still am anxious. Then, while catching up on my Bible reading this morning---and I must admit, I felt some anxiety about that too--- I came across this passage. Even though I have read it several times before, the simple advice resounds so fresh and new to me in this moment. I will leave you with the passage because it says everything...

Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Amen.