HIS RESPONSE, OUR RESPONSE

I had started to write this Friday night after our Good Friday service at church, but it was late and I wasn't able to finish my thought process. Thankfully, there was a reason for that, because there was more to ponder. 

It's not that He was speechless. It's not that He didn't know what to say. . .

Jesus knew that had to be done, and by His humble meekness, He fulfilled a prophesy spoken of Him thousands of years earlier. 

 

Jesus had no response. He could have spoke words to cut right to the heart. He could have spoke to them their deepest secrets and sins. He could have told them of the intricate plans He has for all eternity. . . But He knew He had to die. And He knew this was the hour. 

FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY...

Let's look at two responses of the revealed risen Savior to His closest followers:

How is my response to the risen Jesus? Am I "deep in wonder and full of joy" like the women were when they first heard the news? Or am I "holding back" and "unsure about risking myself."  

The women were the first to hear the report. They had not yet seen the risen Jesus and yet they were fully in, fully believing. Then Jesus showed up. Yet the disciples... lets say that again... the DISCIPLES saw face to face the risen Lord and yet they were unsure. 

There are two main things I take away from this:

1. Self-evaluations. What is my response to Jesus? Am I fully in and enveloped in the majesty of the risen King? Or am I filled with parts of doubt, confusion, fear? Those areas I need to bring to God in prayer and ask for an outpouring of faith! God is there to give that to us!

2. Grace. God STILL used these doubtful men to build His church. He filled them up with the Holy Spirit days later, equipping them to share the amazing story with nation upon nation. He used these men in mighty ways. This encourages me that God will use me despite my struggles, and questions, and fears. 

Each year as our focus is drawn intently on the cross at this time, I am still awe struck that Jesus would sacrifice everything for us. I am still humbled by the pain he went through, physically and spiritually as he carried the weight of the sins of the world. Thank You, Jesus for the work You did on our behalf, and that even now you sit at the right hand of God. Thank You.

Sincerely,

Jen

PS Here is a family Easter photo for you. 

 

Fruit

Most of the time, I write things from my quiet times. This is from our time at church and the things God placed on my heart. I must say it is so refreshing to spend time with God. It is really not that hard to do. You just have to make time for it and be in a setting where you're not distracted (which can be nearly impossible in 2013). 

I'm so blessed by the things God is doing at our church. It is not because of the men and women serving there... it is simply His Holy Spirit speaking into our hearts in the time we allow to quiet ourselves before Him. Here is what I have been learning:

-----------------------------------

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT) 

Some serious questions come to heart when I read this verse:

• Are these fruit evident in my life? 
• When people look at my life from the outside, without seeing into my heart, would they pin these attributes on me as a person? Am I loving? Do I have Joy or Peace? Am I a patient person? (... and so on)
• Am I actually producing these fruit?
• When do some self examining, do I really have these attributes? Am I a loving, good, faithful person?
• What Fruit am I lacking?
• This answer, I know, can change from time to time depending on circumstance or attitude or how much coffee/sleep I have had. But I don't think that is really the way it works. Let me explain why:

I cannot force myself to produce these fruit. There is nothing of myself that I can do to force out these fruit. It is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit. 

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8, 9 NLT)

I want to encourage you to take a minute and evaluate yourself as well with each questions. Pray for the Holy Spirit to search your heart and be honest with Him in your response.

• Am I giving the Holy Spirit what He needs to produce these fruit in my life? 
• a willing heart, time reserved for Him or a heart prepared for Holy gardening

Of course, our mighty and amazing God, Who created the world and all in it merely my speaking can do supernatural things in the depths of our hearts where no one besides Him can go. But the question is, am I inviting Him there? Am I allowing time to sit quietly before His feet? Am I asking Him to soften my stubborn heart to be plyable and moldable?

• Am I fighting against it? 
• This can be done so many ways. I know you're probably thinking of what you struggle with now. I could be from as simple as being distracted to as serious of a sin that you won't let go of. My personal biggest struggle is that of time and just making it a priority to sit quietly.

• Am I doing something to prevent fruit from growing?
• 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Paul says in his final few statements of advice merely "Do not stifle the Holy Spirit." No more detail than that given. I think the specifics of that can be worked out with Him and us in our own hearts. What, Oh God, am I doing to stifle You or Your works?

• Am I fertilizing my heart and prepping it for growth? 
• I want to have a willing heart. I want God to work in me His wonders. I want Him to weed from me my mistakes. I want Him to work through me His plans.

God will do the work and bring about these fruit by meditation upon Him. I must not forget the necessity of quiet time for these fruit to be produced!!

Do I HAVE joy? Peace? Patience? If the answer is no...  it will ultimately be remedied only by meditation upon God and His word. No other thing will eliviate these ailments. They may cover up or numb but they will not truly and ultimately rid our hearts of the selfish cancer we've all be born into known as sinful nature.

May I remember HE is the source of all goodness and the source of His fruit. I need to remember this isn't the "Fruit of Jen." It's not MY joy, it's not MY patience (of which I have needed in high demand recently with my kids.)

The things which I seem to rely upon myself for are patience, faithfulness, and self-control. When these things are lacking I question myself with "Why aren't you being patient?" or "Why can't you commit to this and follow through?" In reality, the faithfulness, the control, and the patience that I need are things that can only come from the Spirit of God. These are HIS attributes.  They're not mine. They don't come naturally. Naturally I'm a selfish... self consumed... self centered. There is nothing I can do on my own to change. I know many may disagree. They think that at the heart of people, there is goodness. I know this is wrong just by looking at myself. Seriously. Just stop. Look inside your heart and your motives, your secret feelings, maybe some bitterness you have towards someone, maybe something you have lied about, something you have hidden from everyone, something that you wouldn't want anyone to know. You can answer for yourself.

I have been working on this post for quite a few weeks now. I have been mediating upon exactly what it is that God is showing me. Yesterday I saw the perfect and most sincere example:

Charlee, Jovee and I were having lunch with a friend and my girls were sharing a pita. True to their personalities, Charlee was taking little nibbles as Jovee had scarfed down her whole portion of pita bread. Charlee gently offered Jovee a large piece of her pita, as Jovee was starting to freak over the remaining food that was not immediately going into her mouth. Our friend Jessica asked Charlee how she became such a good big sister and she simply said, "I don't know... but I'm pretty sure it's Jesus."

Yes! She was exactly right! It is Jesus. I couldn't tell you how proud I was of my sweet 4 year old daughter who has got it down! She understands what most Christians take a lifetime to learn! It is not us. Not even a little. 

Holy Spirit, 
Please bestow upon us YOUR joy... YOUR love... YOUR fruit! Thank You for the reminder that I don't need to look deep in myself for the best person I can be. Thank You that in YOU and by Your Holy Spirit, I can be better than myself. I can be a shining example of YOU. Perfectly peaceful, loving, joyful, and patient. Perfectly kind, gentle, and self controlled. Remind me to acknowledge You for the fruit that others see in my life. It is all of You and none of me!

Sincerely,
Jen

Being Quiet

Today I have felt a sense of urgency to do something. Maybe because its the last day of our 10 day long holiday. Maybe because I'm heading back to work tomorrow. Maybe because I don't want to waste any of this time... but God is doing something different.

I know He is putting on my heart, like I said in my last blog post, to be SUBMERGED in Him. I am trying to do this. I am taking action and filling my heart and my mind with the things of God. But still, God is doing something different. 

Being a full time working mom to a two and a four year old leaves little to no quiet time. Here I am, with everyone asleep, and I'm lost! (typical.) Over the past 24 hours I have sat down to read/write multiple times. Every time my brain just stops! I have began 3 blogs, picked up 3 different books, all to just stop. I've gone from a Tozer book, to Ezekiel, to a book on marriage, to a blurb I started on The Holy Spirit. Everything just turns into a dead end. Its just not right! So, You tell me, God. What exactly is it You want me to do with this time. 

... and that's what I heard. Be quiet.

Its amazing the things God can do in the quiet.


...


Isn't prayer often a one sided conversation?

We have something we need, or something someone else needs, and we take the prayer time to ask God of it. We bring our laundry list of chores to God. Yes, we will throw in somethings we are thankful for so we don't seem selfish, but when do we just sit quietly, with open hearts before God?

Maybe you do this all the time? Maybe its just me? But in reality, I think its a healthy reminder of how our relationship with God should be!


How easy is it for us to be distracted?

Just think about your thoughts as you go to bed at night. The things that flood my brain involve the events of the day, the things to come tomorrow, things I wasn't able to to get done, chores, bills, events at work, my children's futures, our future, my family members, friends, recipes/crafts I want to try, things I need to improve, goals I want to accomplish. The list is infinite!

Seriously, just... be... quiet...



...



When I close off my brain, and shoo out the distractions, these are the things I have heard God say to me today.

I am great.

“Look, God is greater than we can understand.
    His years cannot be counted.
²⁷ He draws up the water vapor
    and then distills it into rain.
²⁸ The rain pours down from the clouds,
    and everyone benefits.
²⁹ Who can understand the spreading of the clouds
    and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?
³⁰ See how He spreads the lightning around Him
    and how it lights up the depths of the sea.
³¹ By these mighty acts He nourishes the people,
    giving them food in abundance."
                                                 -Job 36:26-31



I love you.
"The Lord your God is in your midst,
   a Mighty One who will save; 
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
    He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."                                                 -Zephaniah 3:17



I am faithful.
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for His compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for Him.”
                                                 -Lamentations 3:22-24


Be Quiet.
³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
                                                 -Luke 10:38-42



Lord!
Thank You for the quiet! Thank You for the reminder to hush our hearts so that we can hear the encouragement from You heart. How easy it is to just sit before You and listen. Why do we forget to do that? Help us to be like Mary! We as women are being taught to be like Martha. To serve, and rush, and cook, and prepare, and create! (things which we love and we know are good things but only in moderation!) Tap us on the shoulder when we are being too caught up in our check list and the things that demand our attention! We don't want to be stressed and distracted and frustrated and right now we acknowledge that the lack of quietness before You is likely the cause. Thank You for Your promise in Isaiah 58:9 "Then when you call, the Lord will answer.‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply." 

Let us remember when our minds get so busy and distracted and worked up what Psalm 116:7 says:
"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."

Sincerely,

Jen

The Shore Line

Well, we are own our way back home from our first week long vacation as a family. It has been a much needed time of chillaxin. No rules. No itinerary. No plans. Just taking it easy, visiting with friends, eating good foods, enjoying the beautiful California weather. We have had lots of good conversations with friends this trip, discussing a lot of what God is doing in our hearts and families and churches.

Yesterday, we spent the day at Coronado Beach. It was cool and sunny and beautiful!!! When we were leaving, a thought occurred to me. Even though my kids were soaked and covered in sand, I was only wet up to my thighs. I didn't really even have to change my clothes. Why did I put my swim suit on?

God is like the Ocean. He is magnificently larger that our minds comprehend. We are surrounded by Him. We can enjoy His presence by being around Him, like a day at the beach.

- We can dress like we're going to play in the ocean without even getting wet at all!! Like those that play the role of a devoted Christ Follower, but never actually surrender over to Him.

- We can splash our feet around at the shore line without getting too far out. When we do that, do we comprehend His greatness!?!?! We are robbing ourselves of a completely submerged Christian life.

We can even recreationally surf the waves of God. We can spend our free time relaxing and enjoying ourselves.

... But I think God is beaconing more to us. I believe God is calling us to submerge ourselves deeply within Him. He is calling us to dive down to the depths of His heart and to search Him for all the amazing majesty of Who He is!!

We had a chance to visit with our friend JJ while in San Diego. Ricky and I were his youth leaders when he was in junior high and now his is in his 20s serving in the Navy. He was telling us about serving on the submarine, how they would descent and be below the water for weeks, even months!!! We had the chance to tour a submarine at the San Diego Maritime Museum. (We were not down there for long since Charlee was nervous down there. Ok maybe me too) You have to have some serious dedication to be submerged for that period of time in that confined of a space!! But the payout is worth it.

Just as in our spiritual life, I want to be submerged. I want to experience and explore the wonders of God. This has to be done daily. Not just on Sundays at church. Not just in a prayer before mealtime. This is a daily commitment to be submerged in Jesus. Real life actions of this are to focus my brain and heart on Him first thing when I wake up. (Not surfing whatever social network may be distracting me at the time) This starts with committing that time it read the Bible. It's refocusing our heart on God in quiet inward prayer throughout the day. It's becoming more aware of His continual presence wherever we are. It's about discussing and surrendering everything to Him, not just in trial and disparity. It's finding His glory in everything around us. It's being quiet. It's being loud. It's standing up and it's laying face down.


Lord, I want to complete submerge myself in You! I commit to this for my heart and my self. I want this for no other reason than to know You. When Moses experience You, He wanted more. (Exodus 33-34) We want You, God. We see how dry and depraved this Christian life can be without being submerged. We want to get ourselves out of the way for You to work!!! We want You to be greater and us to be less. So here I am. Dedicating to search You out until I have come to know all of You that I can. And I know that will be accomplished when I get to see You in Paradise, face to face.

Sincerely,
Jen

Check out our vacation pictures at:
http://instagram.com/mrsironbear

Wrestling through Job

So a few weeks back... Well, let me be honest, maybe a few months back... God had led me to read though Job. I'm not sure how much you know of me, but here is a brief break down: I grew up in the church, attended Bible College after graduation, and returned to serve in various ministries  over the past 9 years (Jr. High, High School, Women's Ministries, Worship). You would think with how much my life has been surrounded by the Word of God that I would have read through the book of Job by now. . . but no. 

I know the story well. I know the first few chapters and the ending. (That's the most important part, right?) But I began to think, as God had put this book on my heart, "What can all those 42 chapters be full of?!" ... and to be honest, I was nervous for the theme of the book that I was being directed to: Suffering.

If you're not familiar with the book of Job, I strongly suggest that you stop reading this little post and grab your Bible. Pray. Read. Then pray again. 

Job was a "blameless man, of complete integrity." That says a LOT. He endured some pretty legit testing and trials. He lost everything he had, quite literally. His wealth, his animals, his servants, even all his children, and eventually his health. I can't imagine losing one of those, let alone all of them at the exact same time. 


Well, reading through Job has been a journey.  As I read through chapter upon chapter of Job's complaining, and his friend's commentary on why God was doing this to him, I was so confused! I didn't know who was right!? Job? His friends? Both sides had some pretty valid points. It was really frustrating... until my little buddy Elihu entered the scene. 

How rad that the person who God uses to speak Truth to Job is just a kid. Kids are awesome. This is one of the truths God had Elihu share with Job. 


"For the godless are full of resentment. Even when He punishes them, they refuse to cry out to Him for help. They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living. But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention through adversity. “God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food." (Job 36:13-16 NLT)

These words were so enlightening, so true to my heart. Something I feel to be true, but could never put so eloquently and simply to words. I don't even feel that there is much to commentate on. The Word of God speaks for itself, and applies to everyone. I don't think I've ever met someone who does not suffer in one way or another. As a matter of fact, the people I know who have suffered the most, are the most sincere, loving people, straight from the heart of God. 

... and where does that come from? Is it just who they are? I disagree. I believe these rare gems of God's Kingdom are who they are because of the suffering they have endured. 


I have an amazing friend, Ylisa. If you have met her, I am convinced you are a better person because of it. Ylisa has an amazing story of the suffering God has used in her life. She is by far the best shining example of God's glorious goodness, even in suffering. I HIGHLY suggest you check out her book, which you can find here.  The number one thing I learned from Ylisa, is that suffering brings you closer to God than you were before your trial. You become dependent upon Him. (Isn't that where we should all be anyways?) 

God doesn't just leave us in the midst of adversity. He is "leading us away to a place free from distress."  


My sister in law recently found this in a book passed down from her grandpa:

Photo Cred: Elayna Carrillo

"Trials become triumphs. Burdens become wings."

LORD! Thank You for giving us a fresh perspective on suffering. Thank You for providing Job as an example for us and for the Truths You have spoken through young Elihu. Help our hearts and our minds to come into alignment with Yours, especially when we are suffering. Lastly, we lift up our friends and families going through such tragic, unimaginable circumstances and pray for their hearts to cling to You and triumph in You! 

Before you go, please check out my dear friend Chelsea's Facebook page. Chelsea was my roommate in Bible College. In the subject of suffering, the Payne family is going through a journey that they were not expecting a few weeks ago. Her daughter, Taylor (8) was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and currently undergoing agressive chemotherapy. Please, if you feel led to help them out, we are trying to raise funds for Taylor to get a wig for when she loses her hair. (Donations excepted HERE)

Please, friends, let me know if there is anything you need prayer for or even if you just need to talk.

And as for Job? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out the ending! I promise its a good one.

Sincerely,

Jen

February Faith

Well... three posts in and I've already neglected my little blog!! Well... I feel like I haven't had much of anything worth throwing out there until the last few days.

My sweet mommy, Ann, started theme words for each month. So far January was "Joy" and February was "Forgiveness." I think the word God has given me is February "faith." (Of course I'm just now learning my word and it is the last day of the month!)

Ephesians 5:16 "Redeem the time because the days are evil"

Now, more than ever, is this ringing in my ears. I know there are a lot of people going through difficult things right now. Our family is battling with cancer, death, drugs, financial hardships, and these are just to name a few. It's heart breaking when I sit down and think of the people I need to be praying for that are going through something really really hard. Maybe there has been a difficult diagnosis of a loved one. Maybe your husband or wife has left. Maybe you have lost your job and are not sure how your bills will be paid. . . God is in control. I know it's hard to trust that in the face of a seemingly impossible or hopeless circumstance.


“God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; He does great things, and we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5 LEB)


This verse struck me as I read it. Yes, God is majestic and powerful. Yes, He does great things. But the fact that we don't comprehend those great things is really what stuck out.

When I think of great things I think of things that people do in the name of humanitarianism. The great philanthropists... Oprah giving away a car or a college scholarship... Extreme makeover rebuilding a family's home and paying off their mortgage... These things you look at and say "Wow! That is a great thing!!"

Now, if God is the Leader and Head of all philanthropists, then wouldn't it be right to see the things He is doing and know they are good? It should be obvious, right? It should be something off our wish list on Pinterest or something that would clearly make our life easier ... or money! We all neeeeeed money.

But we do not comprehend. We see what He is doing and we fight against it.

... We fight: like Peter, we slice off the ear of those who have come to take away Christ, not knowing His capture would bring salvation to all. (Luke 22:47-51)

... We doubt if He really knows what He is doing: Like Samuel, when he was told that David, Jesse's youngest and scraggliest son was chosen to be Israel's king. (1 Samuel 16)

... We complain: like the Israelites after they were freed from slavery. (pretty much all of Exodus)

... We disobey His calling: Like Jonah, who ran the opposite way when God asked to minister to the meanest, vilest people of his day. (Jonah)

... We take matters into our own hands: like Abraham, who (twice) told people his wife was his sister in an attempt to keep his family safe. (which did not work BTW... Genesis 20 and Genesis 27) OR the time he tried to fulfill God's promise on his own by trying to conceive a son though a servant girl (Genesis 16) ... Really Abraham!? You're giving us lots of good examples here...

... We walk away: like the rich young ruler, who thought that the cost of following Christ was too much for him to sacrifice. (Matthew 19:16-30)

"We cannot comprehend." It's like God is telling us... "It's ok guys. You're not going to get it. Just trust Me!"

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord . “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NLT)

He's not trying to say we are stupid... He's reminding us that we are little tiny baby sized ants on this big giant world. We cannot see the big picture! (I'm picturing myself like one of the kids in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" trying to trek my way through this backyard of mud and bugs and giant water drops.)

Today my eyes were opened to this big picture when my husband said to me that he can relate to a child being brought up in an abusive household. It is tragic for any child to have to experience abuse. But to see that Ricky can reach out and help one of these little ones because he himself has traveled this road before really got to me. What a view of grace... to see that God really uses people's hurt and can turn it around for a glorious story of people helping other people! (And yes, God did an amazing work in Ricky's parents, both of which are two of the most loving people I have ever known.)

Often, it's a rainy day. The storms of life are heavy and the constant downpour can be overwhelming. It's so easy to get discouraged!! But remember God's promises when the rain doesn't stop, friends...

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the L ord ’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” (Isaiah 55:10-13 NLT)

The rain will bring forth fruit and crops and flowers! It won't be in vain, friend! Hold fast to God and remember we probably won't understand the "Why" now... But it will always be for the benefit of us and of others.

Please, friends, let me know if I can pray for you. There is no need to carry your burdens alone.

Sincerely,
Jen

Happy New Year!

Well... It is the first official day of 2013. There is something so refreshing about a new start. 

God sure has been putting a lot on my heart lately, and one of those things is this blog. So here we go! 

I've spent a few days praying about what God's direction is for this blog. What exactly does He want me to share? What is the theme? or even the name!? In the midst of praying, there were a few things that stuck out in my head: 

GROWTH: 

"God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do."  Psalm 1:1-3 (CEV)

I definitely feel God has been growing our family over the past year. He has directed us in multiple ways, and we have listened, and He has blessed us as a result. I feel as if our family is that tree and we are planted by the river, constantly being nourished, producing fruit and foliage. 

ORGANIC:

We were worshiping together as a church a few weeks ago and as the band started into the musical part of the bridge, the congregation just started singing the words without any prompting or leading: "My heart will sing no other name, but Jesus, Jesus!" It was so sweet. One of those moments you can't catch your breath and try to squeak out the song along with the others around you, fighting back tears. It wasn't rehearsed. Our worship leader didn't say, "Okay you guys, right here I'm going to back off and you guys sing really loud..." No. It was true. It was organic. It was from the heart. 

This is what I feel God is wanting from me. 
To be real. 
To be sincere.

I know we have some difficult roads to travel ahead of us this year. We have friends and family going through so much difficulty, sickness, deep pain, loss. So I will try my best this year to just be sincere throughout it. Honest and transparent. 


"The King is the friend of all who are sincere and speak with kindness" -Proverbs 22:11 (CEV)  





Our first day of 2013: 

We went and played at the park 

... and a triple grande vanilla latte, too (of course)

(Running with daddy)

This was my favorite part of the day: Jovee has been sick and quite cuddly. At lunch, she rested her head on big sister, Charlemaine. Charlee stroked her hair for a few moments. It was the sweetest moment of sister interaction I have yet to witness of my little ladies. (Jovee is NOT fond of loving or being loved by Charlee.)  

I was able to get some OCD cleaning done today and start this blog! :) Now we're winding down the day together watching Josie and the Pussycats. (a classic, duh!) 

_____________________

Lord, Thank You. Sometimes that is all we really need to say. I don't think we say it enough. We have a home, we have our health, we have each other, and we have You. I know that none of these are promised to us tomorrow besides You. I don't want to take any of these for granted. Thank you for them and thank You for You. Thank You that we can rely on You to be our steadfast.

_____________________

Lastly, you HAVE TO check out this song. I cannot get it out of my head. The words and truths contained have been so encouraging and inspiring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0Vz8fvIhE

"I am the Lord your God,
I go before you now.
I stand beside you
I’m all around you
And though you feel I’m far away
I’m closer than your breath
I am with you
More than you know

I am the Lord your peace
No evil will conquer you
Steady now your heart and mind
Come into my rest
And oh, let your faith arise
And lift up your weary head
I am with you
Wherever you go

Come to me, I’m all you need
Come to me, I’m everything

I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves
And I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid
Though your heart and flesh may fail you
I’m your faithful strength
And I am with you
Wherever you go

Don’t look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on me
You will not be shaken, you will not be moved

I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way
Just come to me, come to me
Cause I’m all that you need"

Wishing you the best this year, whatever that may be for you and your family. 

Sincerely, Jen.