Proverbs 16:9 Memory Monday

So it seems like Remy has gotten the short end of the picture-stick lately, what with Halle being my top model and all, so here's a shot of the man himself at the mall in the helicopter. (Yes, I have huge issues with the germs on those things, but if you could see the joy in his eyes that 75 cents can bring, you would decide it's worth the disinfectant post-ride wipe down.) We were lucky that Trace didn't have to go in to work until noon today, so Remy chose to go to his favorite spot and see the sights. He is my child, and he picks the mall EVERY time!

Not to be outdone, here's Sweet Thing #2 strutting around and modeling some new shoes I made...

My verse for last week was Proverbs 16:9, and here it is from memory:

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord orders his steps.

Well, short as it was, I must admit that I had a refresher earlier this morning. The point of the verse stuck with me all week, but for some reason the word order didn't. This one was a little hard for me, as I think it applied so much to my situation this week. I have blogged before that I struggle with depression on an ongoing basis. Each time I start to feel a bit 'dark', for lack of a better term, I come back to the real heart of the issue. For me I look at my life and find reasons, real or imagined, at why my disappointment and depression are pointed at God. I have had my course planned since I was young- what I thought life should/would be. And so many things have happened along the way that have changed the course of things. We are so fortunate that Trace's work has picked up a bit, but he is not doing a job that he feels called to do. And the job he feels called to do doesn't seem to be panning out the way we felt like it would... so we're at a kind of stand still- and that is frustrating!! That is why this verse has struck such a chord with me this week. My course, my plans, will not come to fruition if not aligned with the plan God has for us. So my prayer has been that God reveal his plan for us, and that he order our steps accordingly.

I'm not sure exactly what direction my study will take me this week, so I don't yet know my verse. I think I'll just keep heading down this road of searching out God's direction. Vague, I know, but it's where I'm at... Have a great day!

Memory Monday

Let's just get this in, right at the start. Last week's verse, Nahum 1:7, from memory:

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him

This was a great one to meditate on this week. I kept coming back to the word refuge, which for me drums up images of a hiding place, tucked away from the world. There are many moments, days even, when I would like to retreat to such a place. But while getting away isn't possible, it's wonderful to have him... always waiting to be my hiding place, even if only for a few minutes at nap time. The Lord is good!

I ran into a quote from Joni Eareckson Tada today, and thought it was a great one. She says 'We dare not think that God is absent or daydreaming. The do-nothing God. He's not tucked away in some far corner or the universe, uncaring, unfeeling, unthinking... uninvolved. Count on it- God intrudes in glorious and myriad ways.' I love that love that it kind of ties into the verse I chose for next week, Proverbs 16:9:

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

We can plan all we want. I certainly like to make list after list, whether it's a meal plan for the week, household chores to be done, or even the bigger things like where we might live next year, or whatever... but truly it's all in God's hands. How many times has my frustration been rooted in the fact that things don't go my way? (I am sounding strangely similar to a certain three year old I know...) I pray with conviction each day that God orders our steps, and yet I continue to be disheartened when things turn out different that I planned. I just need to pray that I am more aware of him as he 'intrudes' because he is not far away!

I thought I'd end this post with a few more pictures from this weekend. Halle is trying to climb all over everything. She can't quite master the couch but has gotten quite adept at getting onto Remy's bed. Unfortunately for her she hasn't figured out how to get down so easily and there is a lot of spotting involved so she doesn't get hurt.

Memory Monday

Yesterday just got away from me, and it was around 3 this morning that I realized I hadn't posted my verse for this week. Galatians is on hold for a bit, as I feel God has led me to this verse in Nahum. I hardly knew where this prophet's book was, much less what it contained. I kind of felt like a stranger treading somewhere unknown, which I don't think is such a good feeling in my Bible. Anyway, I was led to this verse through a study of God's provision. I am tired of worrying, tired of feeling like God has a plan (of this I am certain!) that he isn't letting us in on, just tired.

I woke up yesterday feeling uncertain and a little uneasy, but I started my day by saying to God that I trusted him. My whole purpose in this life is to worship and serve Him, and with this singlular goal my day seemed to play out much better than I expected. I woke up this morning and repeated the same thing, and our day has been a great one. Both kids stayed in their pjs until well after lunch. In fact, so did I because rather than workout and shower during Halle's morning nap, Remy and I built a castle in the sand and played checkers in the living room. As I have taken a break from all that pointless worrying I have been able to really see the awesome blessings right in front of me. 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.' (Matt. 6:33) So my verse for this week:

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust him...

Flexing our Spiritual Muscles

I realized just after posting that it was Monday, and indeed another 'Memory Monday' update was pending. I don't have all of the Galatians 5 verses memorized yet, but the study is going well, and I hope to be able to type them from memory soon. Although I don't intend to go into detail in this space, I won't lie- this has been a tough week spiritually. Life just isn't always what we expect it to be (or wrongly think it should be), but God is still faithful, and that is unchanging. I have an NIV Worship Bible, which has in the margins many song lyrics, quotes, and poems. Today I opened my Bible to find these words from an old German hymn which seem so fitting for our journey right now:

All depends on our possessing

God's free grace and constant blessing,

Though earthly wealth depart.

They who trust with faith unshaken

By their God are not forsaken

And will keep a dauntless heart.

Memory Monday: Colossians 2:6-7

Colossians 2:6-7 from memory:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Well, the punctuation got me a little this week (lots of commas!), but I really liked memorizing this one. I loved seeing 'overflowing with thankfulness' on the bathroom mirror. So often I run to the bathroom during the day for a two second break, and it was a great reminder to keep going and be thankful. I have been trying to think of little things to be thankful for each time I see that verse, and truly it wasn't difficult-especially with Easter being the perfect punctuation on the end! 

I am finally completely on the other side of the post-partum funk that had me so messed up after the littles were born, and it is awesome to see God's hand in everything. There were so many dark days when I couldn't even see the end of the tunnel, much less the light there. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of crazy days around here, but without the thick haze of depression it's easier to let God work and step back to admire His hand.

For next week I will be memorizing 1 John 2:6:

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Such a simple verse but it seems so profound to me today (and not so simple to walk out.) I have a bunch more to say, but it will have to wait, as I have a sweet baby yelling for me from her crib. I'm off before she wakes her brother- Happy Monday!

Memory Monday

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love always hopes, always trusts, always protects, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Well, it was pretty close until verse 7, where I got protects and hopes flip-flopped.  But that's kind of like my life at this point, I think. Things aren't always in exactly the right spot, but all the pieces are there and they are moving closer to where they should be. God is strengthening our family from the roots of our faith up, and even though we aren't exactly sure what the next step is, we are getting closer.

My verse for next week is Colossians 2:6-7:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

~In other news:

Remy came to me after his nap the other day with the biggest smile on his face. He said, 'You know what, Mommy? I was hot during my nap so I turned my pillow over, and it was cold on the other side. It felt soooo good!' Isn't it funny that we don't have to teach them these little things?

Have a great week!

Memory Monday

Exhausted barely begins to describe how I'm feeling right now. This weekend was a bit stressful, as Halle decided that she wanted to get up in the middle of the night for about 2 straight hours for 2 nights in a row for no apparent reason. It seems that she just wanted to say hello and play a little. So this morning Trace and I were both in a haze, and he was in particularly good spirits for having to go to work on top of this fog. He's a trooper, my husband, and I am thankful.

Psalm 52:8-9

I will trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

I will praise you forever for what you have done;

In your name I will hope, for your name is good.

I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

It's amazing what it does for one's mood to be continually reciting a verse of praise to God, isn't it? I firmly believe that part of my 'job' as keeper of this home is to set the tone for things around here, and I must admit that a lot of times I fail royally. In fact, I didn't do a very good job this weekend, looking back. Tracey and I alternate who gets up with the wee ones each morning, as they get up very early, and yesterday was my day. I was tired from lack of sleep, and I let that start off my day in a bad mood. I became unnecessarily frustrated with little things, and by the time Trace got up (which was only 7am!!) I was already in quite a state! Isn't there something quite powerful in praising God despite a bad mood? Psalm 52 was an important lesson for me... how sad that it was Sunday and I still hadn't gotten the point, right?!  But Monday brings fresh perspective. God is moving among us and deserves our praise regardless.  He loves us regardless.

The verse I have chosen for next week is one that sort of piggy-backs on the deep thankfulness I feel that I can come to God even when I screw up and His love for me is unfailing.  It also is one that we believe is simple enough for Remy to learn and ushers us quite well into this Easter season.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I have several other things I'm hoping to post today, but I think Halle is starting to wake up. Happy Monday!

Memory Monday

To those of you who read this just for pics of the littles (sorry grandparents!)- feel free to just skim for pictures. I have been wanting to do a little more actual blogging for a while and decided to start today. I won't be offended if you choose not to read my commentary... just maybe don't tell me. =) There will still be tons of pictures, I'm sure!

I have been feeling like God wants me to put His word more into practice, and memorizing scripture is a great way to do that.  Last week the conviction was feeling particularly strong, and on Monday I came across Joanne Heim's blog and her idea to do this. Each Monday I will post on here the verse I intend to memorize that week, and then the following Monday I will type it out by memory. I hope to be more consistent by having some accountability on here, and perhaps some of you who read this will join me. 

Last week's verse was Deuteronomy 30:14. Here goes:

'No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.'

I love what Joanne had to say this morning about the verse, that God doesn't simply want us to memorize His word for nothing but to actually obey it. I have been thinking more about this as I worked on that verse this week. I was trying to apply it specifically to my 'job' in raising Remy & Halle. With that in mind, I decided for next week I would memorize Deuteronomy 6: 5-7:

"Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Have a great morning, and I will try to post some pictures today during nap time!