My news...

It has been so long since I have really blogged, I am not sure where to even start!  But I guess it is not secret that my children and I have been going through a pretty insane time, lately.   In my head, I just have a picture of the boys and I sitting in this little fishing boat with a violent, chaotic storm just whipping around us....and we could sink.  But here is the wonderful thing that I have experienced during the most intense parts of this time--we have peace, we have hope, and we are not sinking!  I know Jesus is standing in this storm with us reaching out to my family through the arms of my precious friends and this body of believers at Keystone Church.  I have never experienced such a feeling of calmness and stillness in my heart.  I praise God for his mercy, grace and compassion that he has shown us.   

I just love the verse that says, "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say, 'Here am I.'"  Isaiah 58:9.   But even as I call to Him, he has exactly what I need just like Matthew 6:8 promises, "your Father knows what you need before you even ask Him."   Everything from gas in my car, to Easter baskets for the boys...to my rent being paid, even before I know that I would not be able to pay it.  An amazing family has paid for groceries for my children for well over a month! (Let me remind you I have 4 boys that eat me out of house and home...so what a gift!)  Every need God knew my family would face, He has provided for before I even know of the need!  

I am so thankful...I truly have an understanding of what Paul talks about hardships in 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10, "...different times I have begged the Lord to take it away, each time He has said, 'My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness'...That is why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults and hardships, persecutions , and the troubles that I suffer...for when I am weak, then I am strong."

God has closed some doors here for us... however, has open other doors that are amazing and so exciting.  ("The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised ."  Job 1:21)  God has taken some things away here... however, He has given to me as well, in abundance.  One exciting thing is actually my big news today:

My big news is I have been offered a job at a church plant in Tennessee!  What is so amazing is we will be living near my sweet D'Amico family once again.  The thought of leaving Keystone is heartbreaking at times, but God has filled me with such promise and confidence...how can I not obey when He calls?  I trust in God's movements in our lives just like what David wrote in Psalm 139:10 "...Your hand will guide me."

Plans are still forming, but what I know right now is my last day at the Keystone Office will be May 21, 2009 (wow that is soon!).  The boys will get out of school on June 3rd, and we will leave that weekend, I believe.  Every detail, I am finding out everyday, God has worked out.  It is so humbling to really experience His hand at work in my life!  There are some hurdles still, but I just know that God has this under control...

I was listening to this song earlier, and it was so perfect for this season in my life:

None but Jesus

In the quiet, in the stillness

I know that You are God

In the secret of Your presence

I know there I am restored

When you call I won't refuse

Each new day again I'll choose

There is no one else for me

None but Jeses

Crucified to set me free

Now I live to bring Him praise.

In the chaos, in confusion 

I know You're Sovereign still

In the moment of my weakness

You five me grace to do Your will

When you call I won't delay

This is my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord

All of hope

All of my strength

All my delight is in you Lord, Forever.  

 

I am sitting here in total awe how God works!  I am humbled to know how God has shown such provision over my children and me these past few weeks...even to the smallest of details!

I am so blessed by precious friends that have poured out encouragement and love to us! I wish that I could begin to write how thankful I am...how loved I feel...and how I praise God for all of my Keystone family.  Most people do not know the extent of how the boys and I are going through a life-change, but my friends did not seem to NEED to know the specifics, they just heard of a need of responded in a BIG way!  

I am overwhelmed with such a flood of positive emotion as I go over the events of this past weekend.  So many friends came to help me pack my house...over 20!  We had my entire house packed in less than 3 hours!!  One thing that struck me, is not one person acted like this was a chore, or something they felt obligated to do... everyone had such a spirit of celebration!  It was amazing!  So many details were taken care of... I cannot wait to tell you the whole story soon.  It is a miracle and just beyond words.  I am so, so blessed.  My heart is filled nothing but JOY.

God is SO good!

"As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God.  For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.  Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words."  2 Corinthians 9:13-15

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3

An interview with my Aidan. (age 4)

I got this list from my friend Amanda's blog...I thought I would make a few changes, and post Aidan's responses!

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
"Aidan clean up your room, and say yes ma'am" "oh, and don't pee in the outside, it's rude."

2. What makes Mommy happy?
Mommy is happy when I sing songs.

3. What makes Mommy sad?
When I don't help Shimmy (Jimmy!)

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
When hers tells jokes...especially when the Monkey Crosses the Road. Its so funny.

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
She had a mommy.

6. How old is your Mommy?
She is really big, but no stripes. (I think he meant wrinkles!)

7. How tall is your Mommy?
Tall like a football player.

8. What is his favorite thing to do?
Go home.

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Find some other people to be around. (he was quite proud of this answer and ended it with "...hmmm...not bad!")

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
Because she be beautiful!

11. What is Mommy really good at?
Good at computers and flushing the toilet. (I laughed, and then he said, "I know that is funny, but I know it! Yep!")

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
Fixing the roof, thats it.

13. What does Mommy do for a job?
Praying at church.

14.What is Mommy favorite food?
Salad

15.What makes you proud of Mommy?
Make the nice food at McDonalds.

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would he be?
A race car because hers race to win and take the other cars down. (insert race car noises here)

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
I am thinking, I am thinking...we go places fun.

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
We have the same color shirts....hmmm I am getting smarter.

19. How are you and Mommy different?
We wear other shoes.

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
Hugging me and says I love you so much.

21. What does Mommy friends like most about your mom?
They love hers because hers have a beautiful dress.

22. Where is Mommy favorite place to go?
A place that has salad...its called Walmart.

EVER WONDER??

Have you ever seen someone's shoe lying in the middle of the road, and wonder, "how in the world?!?!"

Well, wonder no more.

It seemed like we toured all of North Texas today while running errands before church.  I happen to see a red shoe in the middle of the road on 1709.  Thought in the moment, "how does someone lose a shoe IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD?!"  About an hour later, I drive past the same red shoe...and drive past it again on the way to church.

Trying to unload the boys, only to notice Jimmy wearing just ONE red shoe.

This is my life.

A 'brief' movie review

We are a family of routine.  We all have our certain way of doing things.  For instance:  every morning, Noah and I discuss the weather...then proceed to argue why we do not wear shorts when it is 30 degrees outside or a sweat shirt in the TEXES summer!    Another example is as soon as Caleb takes off his shoes (outside), his socks are to IMMEDIATELY go to the washing machine (please see "My Nose is on Strike" post for details).  Need one more example?  If you ever drop in for a surprise visit to my home, just know you will see Aidan wearing the bare minimum of required clothing (most of the times not even that!).  It is just our way...and I have never had a problem with any of this until TODAY.

I thought that I would be a good mother and take my little angels to the movies.  This is quite a task, might I add.  Popcorn arguments, candy arguments, drinks spilling as we walk, blah blah blah...  To get into the actual theater, I feel like I should go ahead and book my room in the insane asylum for the following day.  No kidding.

I get everyone seated and settled, only to turn around to see that Aidan has made himself quite at home--wearing nothing but Scooby Doo underwear.  I begin the talent of speaking through gritted teeth  all while still smiling (a skill mothers earn!) and Aidan quickly remedies the situation ... we  begin to settle in to watch the previews, as I start to catch my breath from counting backwards from 10.  Feeling that everything would be okay now, I am beginning to redeem my "Good Mother" feelings once again...I look at my children sitting happily munching on their munchies...sweet little Jimmy eating a hotdog.  Sigh...  life is good, until I remember one horrifying detail:

I. did. not. buy. hotdogs.

My New Blog Designs...

Just wanted to send a huge thank you and shout-out to my wonderful friend, Amanda, for her work on designing my new blog!  She even designed the title bar.  Don't you just LOVE it!?!?  I do!!  I am so thrilled!

I just thought while I was sending her a shout out, I would share my thoughts about her.  I am in a list mood today, so here we go again with another list!

1.  LOVE her blog.  It is profound, intelligent and filled with hope.  I sat and read her blog for like 12 hours straight.  It was like reading a novel on someone's life...it is AMAZING to see her journeys through life.

2.  I have massive respect for Amanda.  She carried herself with an air of grace that I have never seen out of anyone before.  I have such admiration for her...I really would aspire to be half the woman she is!

3.  What a writer!  What a gift God has given her!

4.  What a mother she is to her children!  

5.  Amanda is so compassionate.  I think she embodies the verse, Corinthians 1:4 to the fullest.  

6.  We are in the same CG, and I had shared a prayer request for one of my children.  OF COURSE when we started praying about it as a group, I got a little sniffly.  We hardly knew each other at this point, and in such a tender way, reached over and held my hand for the rest of the prayer.  Ugggg..the tears well up even as I type and remember that moment!  It was so caring and gentle...a sweet, sweet moment for me.  

7.  I am SO proud to call Amanda my friend.  She is one of those women that I know God has placed in my life for me to aspire to be like...

8.  Seriously, I think she posts the funniest FB comments.  So is so funny.

9.  She has a lot on her plate, but she is always calm and steady.  

10.  She once bought me a starbucks to work.  It was SO kind!  Made my week to know that someone thought of me.  Makes me smile now even thinking about it.  

I really am thankful for my friend, Amanda!!!