My Best Valentine!

         I have been blessed with sweet memories of Valentine’s.  Yes, “romantic memories” but my favorite memory remains my first memory of Valentine’s.

         I was six years old the first Valentine’s I remember.  What made it memorable was waking that morning to a single long stemmed red rose from my daddy. I remember feeling special and loved and even grown up.

(Google Image)

         My dad also made a practice of taking me on dates with him. We would go to the Howard Johnson’s restaurant for the turkey dinner or fried clams.  We went to see movies and took rides to see his co-workers at the rescue squad. I have vivid memories of getting excited about my time alone with dad.

         Last week while walking through a local restaurant my heart watched as a dad and little girl skipped in.  He took her to a small two-topped table with a bouquet of miniature red roses.

         The little girl scrambled to sit on her knees and lean over to chat with her daddy, complete with holding his hands with only the bouquet separating them.  The little girl giggled as she talked with him and the daddy seemed totally awed by her presence.

       

(Google Image)

 Life is so full, so busy, so demanding.  We have to be proactive in finding ways to make our children feel important. We can take them on a “date” or give them a special gift. Who knows? This Valentine’s Day may be your child’s best!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39nmX3yZHcg

This Was One of Those Weeks!

SO... this week has been a DOOZIE! I mean a certifiable Category 5 hurricane that came out of NO where! There are those moments in your life where so many random, difficult things violently bombard you at the same time, that you KNOW it is the devil.  Even the secular genius would say it's statistically impossible!  The devil has over played his hand!

This was one of those weeks!  The question is ... how do I respond? What does the Lord want of me?  Thankfully the He left me some directions.  (Literally, a stranger walked up to me and gave me this verse!)

1 Peter 4:12 &13 says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

How I go through these trials reveals where my trust is.   God uses all things, even my response in trials, for His glory.  He wants me to be victorious as I walk through the fiery trial.

Practically speaking for me it looks like this:

1.  I am trying to capture every thought.  If it doesn't bring glory to Him, I don't entertain it.
2.  I look for Him in the circumstance.  He is with me in it. I need only look to see evidence. (Like the stranger giving me this verse!)
3.  I pray not to sin in it.  I may suffer deeply and want to defend myself, but my situation pales in comparison to what my Lord suffered for me.  I want to be blameless before Him.
4.  I trust Him to fight the battle.  My hope is in Him and not in circumstance or man. These battles are spiritual battles and will be won in the spirit realm, by my Defender.  
5.  I remember that I am His, and it is His responsibility to take care of me. I am in the best Hands ever...Hands that have scars in the palms that prove His love for me!
6.  I remember what my husband told me once, when I was whining about being very pregnant..."This too shall pass."  Ha!  Our Lord allows me to go through trials, but He NEVER leaves me in them.  He will bring me safely to the other side and I will look more like Him :)
7. I am praising Him in the middle of the trials, because He is ALWAYS worthy to be praised!  

Whatever you are facing, giants, storms, nay sayers, doubt... PRAISE HIM... HE IS FAITHFUL!

"He Knows" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

Psalm 139: 1-3

Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately aquainted with all my ways.

My husband texted me "PSALM 139" when I was having a hard day this past week.  

I was in such a mood, that I choose to purposely not open up the bible and read it after I recieved his text.  

So this week, Psalm 139 has shown up two more times and it was not coincidental. 

I got over myself and sat down and read it. This whole chapter is life giving, but these first three verses spoke straight to my heart.  We've all been there...and all we need to know is

He knows.

No matter how hard our day is, or how difficult the kids are being, or how stressed out you are

He knows.

Your child that you are praying for fervently, trying to figure out "what works" 

He knows.

The changes or hardships that your family is facing or going through right now

He knows.

Whatever happens today, tomorrow or the days to come

He knows.

If you are fighting an uphill battle, maybe you feel that you are in a valley, or everything is going great! No matter what, this is such a beautiful promise that we can rest in the fact that He is so in love with us and cares for us in every detail of our life. 

Cheer De Leader

Let’s face it…it is hard to find an activity, a restaurant, a movie, a television channel or an ice cream flavor that the entire family will enjoy. As far as activities are concerned, about the only agreement our family has found is our love for football.

         We all cherish the season Greg coached little league.  His father and our oldest (daughter) were his assistants.  Our son played and our youngest was a “Cheer de Leader.”  No that isn’t a misprint; it is the way our baby pronounced “cheerleader.”

(Google Image)

         I was reminded this week of her early “cheer de leader” days when she played for me one of her new favorite songs.  I don’t know the singers name or even the title of the song.  The song seemed like a love song.  He was saying he had found a girlfriend who was a cheerleader for him, and he needed just that.

         I told our youngest how much I really liked the sound of the singers voice and I even liked the words of the song.  She agreed but admitted she didn’t understand why he said he “needed” a cheerleader.  This was a great conversation when I was able to talk to her about a man’s desire to be encouraged and believed in.  I gave her examples of my attempts to communicate to Greg that I believe in him.  We talked of ways we had “cheered” him on to be all that he could be.

         This week, I saw my mother once again be the poster child for encouragement, belief and “cheering” on others.  Our oldest had a crazy opportunity (that is a blog in itself.)  It was kind of risky but it was a chance of a lifetime.  She took on the challenge.  My mother was the first to send cards of encouragement to our oldest.  Moms cards were filled with the excitement and approval of her attempt.

         I have been inspired to look for ways to be a “cheer da leader” to my husband and children this week.  May you too, be inspired to cheer on those closest to you!  

Verses for Valentine's Day

Looking for fun Valentine's ideas that are Christ centered?  Julie, the Happy Home Fairy herself, has some great ones posted on happyhomefairy.com.  My favorite is A Valentine's Countdown, pictured above.  Click the link for details.  Happy Valentine's Day!

GRANDPARENTS are the GREATEST! By: Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

I don't know who gets more excited to be around the grandparents, my kids or myself.

My kids are so blessed to have all 4 grandparents to love on them.

My husbands parents  live near us, and they are such a big part of my kids' lives.

Since I don't live near my parents, the few visits we have each year are very special.  Plus the weekly Skype dates!

I love watching my kids interact with their grandparents. It is a true joy.

Tons of laughs, hugs, kisses, stories and games.

And to be honest, I get to sit back and enjoy this wonderful show.

Did you read that? 

 I get to sit back....take a break....let the grandparents do it for a bit.

It sometimes gives me a different perspective on my kids. 

Watching how they are interacting with their grandma or grandpa. I love to look at their personalities coming out with someone they love so much.

The relationship between a grandchild and their grandparent is unlike any in this world.

If your kid's grandparents aren't available for a relationship, there are so many wonderful people at church or in your neighborhood that could love on your kids. 

Find them, adopt them, love on them!

In my opinion, grandparents are the greatest!

Don't Worry Be Happy

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." -Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6-8‬ NLT

What are you worrying about today?

Have you brought it before God, in prayer, asking for help?
God promises to give us peace when we do this in obedience :)

What is your mind consumed with? Any thoughts have you paralyzed with fear?
God reminds us of those thoughts that are from Him...

what is true
what is honorable
what is right
what pure
what is lovely
what isadmirable.

When my crazy thoughts exhaust me- I run it through the test above to see if it is the Lord or the enemy of my soul - whispering into my ear.

What part of the verse above spoke to you today?

Thank you Jesus that your word is alive and true!