When All You Can Do Is Pray

I worked in the nursery at church today.  I just started helping out and love having the opportunity to care for, bless, sing to, and pray for those tiny precious children.  A lady came in to change a diaper and the children’s pastor in the nursery asked her who’s baby it was.  It was a foster baby they just took in.  He came to them straight from the hospital and his head is misshapen from the beatings he endured.  

He is 6 months old.
 

I was in a women’s meeting the other day.  We spoke about our fears.  Among our fears of babies getting fevers, and financial difficulties a few women began to share about their marriages being on the brink of disaster.  

Drinking and possible divorce.
 

I got an email from a friend on Friday.  I didn’t know she had a brother who lived in a foreign country with his family.  Egypt is in the midst of revolt.  

He lives in Cairo.
 

When we took Josiah to the ER the other day to get some staples someone rolled a young man into the ER in a wheelchair as we were walking out.  He was bleeding and in really bad shape.  We couldn’t tell if he’d been shot, beaten, or in an accident.  As we got the boys into their carseats we saw the people who pushed him in running to their car and speed away.  

Leaving him alone.
 

These are just a few examples of the need my eyes have been opened to in the past few weeks.  So many times I find myself lacking in words and resources to help.  And I find that all I can do is pray.
 
When what I have and who I am just isn’t enough.  When I don’t have the answers.  I can run to the one who does.  I can run to the one who is. 
 

And I pray.

 
When life is heavy and hard to take, 
   go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: 
   Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. 
   The "worst" is never the worst.
 
Lamentations 3:28-30

 
 . . . The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
 
James 5:16

Bella Bug Review and Giveaway!

And The Winner Is!!!

The Fantastic Four said...

FB fan of Bella Bug as Jay Coupon
jenncutie at hotmail dot com

February 12, 2011 10:54 AM 

I’m so excited to introduce a friend of mine to you.  She is my go to girl whenever I need a gift for a baby shower or birthday party!  She custom makes shirts, bows and all kinds of cute baby and kid accessories.  

 
I love everything, but since I have all boys my favorite thing she makes are the CEO tie shirts and onsies!  I LOVE them.  They are adorable, unique and affordable.  They get big reactions every time my boys wear them.  As you can see I’ve bought quite a few, and don’t plan on stopping any time soon.  I’ve even considered getting my husband a matching one.  I’ve washed and dried them a TON and they hold up very well. 

The best part for me is that I can get a unique amazing gift at an awesome price and support a Christian mom’s business.  Make sure to look her up on Facebook so you can see her full line of products since her Etsy account is still very new.  Leave her a note and let her know you found out about her from Devotion Mama.

So now for the GIVEAWAY!  Bella Bug has generously offered a CEO tie shirt in the size of your choice to one Devotion Mama reader.  The instructions on how to enter are below.  Make sure you include your email if it’s not available through a link and you must complete the mandatory entries before any extra entries will be counted.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
Proverbs 31:13

I hope to bring you exotic surprises and help you shop around for the best deals.  As for the sewing I’ll leave that to my friend Nidia from Bella Bug!

How To Enter:

Complete the two mandatory entries first.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to continental US residents only.  Winner will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winner must respond with mailing address within one week. 

Mandatory Entries:

1.  Follow Devotion Mama through GFC (Google Friend Connect)
2.  Visit Bella Bug’s Facebook page and let me know what you’re favorite “girl” product

Additional Entries:

1. Like Bella Bug on Facebook (1 entry) 
2. Like Devotion Mama on Facebook (1 entry) 
3. Follow @DevotionMama on Twitter (1 entry) 
4. Tweet about this contest.  Include a link to this page.  Leave me a comment letting me know.  Include your Twitter ID in the comment. (1 entry per day) 
5. Announce this contest  on your Facebook.   Include a link to this page.  Leave me a comment letting me know.  (1 entry per day)
6. Comment on any other post on this blog. (1 entry for each post). Let me know which posts you commented on. 
7. Add this to any forums you belong too. Please give me the URL, so I can verify. (2 entries) 
8. Add this to any linky contest lists. Please give me the URL, so I can verify. (2 entries) 
9. Blog about this on your blog. Please give me the URL, so I can verify. (3 entries)  
10. Add my badge to your sidebar.  Please give me the URL, so I can verify. (5 entries)

Disclaimer: These opinions are my own.  I did not receive any compensation for them.  Bella Bug will provide one CEO tie shirt in the size of their choice for the winner of this giveaway.

Exciting Things Happening Here At Devotion Mama!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

As some of you know here at Devotion Mama I have been longing to attend Relevant 2011, a conference for Christian bloggers.  I have been seeking sponsors to help cover the costs of the conference, travel, and hotel as well as to help cover the costs of keeping Devotion Mama up and running.  With this in mind there will be a few changes taking place here at Devotion Mama.  Some you may have already noticed.  We have two new sponsors advertising on our sidebar.  If you have a chance click on the links and check them out.  They are both fairly new to internet business and advertising so check back occasionally to see their updates. 
The benefits of sponsorships will also be passed on to YOU!  My wonderful readers.  From time to time I will begin posting reviews and giveaway of family friendly products.  And you will have a chance to win!  Our first giveaway will begin this Saturday and I hope you’ll participate.  It’s for one of my favorite products EVER, and if you’ve had a baby boy recently and I went to your shower you already know what I’m talking about.  Because I surely gave you one.
 
While I am excited about the possibilities and that God can bless my family financially through my writing this also introduces a challenge of keeping Devotion Mama true to it’s name.  A blog of devotions for mothers.  Don’t worry it won’t become a promotional giveaway blog!  Promotional blogs will be limited to one per week and they will always be posted on a Saturday.  Weekdays will remain just as they are now.  And Sundays will remain my day of rest.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.  She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
 
Proverbs 31:13-14

I hope to bring you exotic surprises and help you shop around for the best deals.  And I can knit a little.  I made the cute knit diaper in Caleb’s 6 month pic seen above. 

My Washer Part 2

Here it comes, reason number two my washer goes crazy.  Are you ready for it?  I know you’ve been sitting at the computer just waiting right?  Ok, so I exaggerate a bit.

The second thing that makes my washer (and me) crazy is being unbalanced.  If there is to much on one side of the washer and not enough on the other it will wobble.   

Again just like the washer having my life out of balance will make it crazy!  There’s gotta be time for everything and only by following the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit can I be sure I am doing the right thing in the right time.  Without it I wouldn’t know when to rip it all out and start from scratch or when to mend what’s already there.  I wouldn’t know when to shut up and when to speak up.  When to wage war and when to make peace.

Holy Spirit guide me.  Keep my life in Your balance.  Help me to remember there is a time for everything and in that time everything will be done.

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

A right time for birth and another for death,

A right time to plant and another to reap,

A right time to kill and another to heal,

A right time to destroy and another to construct,

A right time to cry and another to laugh,

A right time to lament and another to cheer,

A right time to make love and another to abstain,

A right time to embrace and another to part,

A right time to search and another to count your losses,

A right time to hold on and another to let go,

A right time to rip out and another to mend,

A right time to shut up and another to speak up,

A right time to love and another to hate,

A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

My Washer And I Have A Lot In Common

From time to time my washing machine goes a little crazy.  It starts making a racket, wobbling from side to side, and if left alone long enough it actually moves out of it’s cubby into the hall.  Yes, my washer can walk.  Today was a crazy washer day. 
 
There are two things that cause my washer to go on it’s crazy little rampages.  If I’m honest those same things can drive me a little close to insanity also.
 
The first and most easily avoidable cause is it’s being overloaded.  I know I shouldn’t put oversized loads in it, but I do anyway.  I put to much in.  Today it was blankets and pillow pets.  Ideally I should probably have washed the pillow pets separately from the blankets, but as it is those are two things that I have to sneak away from my boys to wash without their noticing and they HAVE to be washed and dried before nap time.  Lack of pillow pets and special blankets at nap time can easily incite a riot around here.
 
Being overloaded can make this mama a little crazy to.  Trying to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect friend, the perfect Christian, the perfect writer, and the perfect woman in general can make me go into OVERLOAD.  But I’ve found that this can be avoided.  Just as I really can avoid overloading the washer I can avoid overloading myself as well. 
 
This is an especially important lesson for me at the moment.  I’m currently starting 3 new projects!  One at church, one related to the blog, and one big writing project.  None of which are small undertakings.  While it seems like a lot, I am convinced that they are God inspired.
So how do I keep from being overloaded?  By doing what GOD has called me to do, not what I’ve put upon myself.  If He’s called me to do it, He’ll supply the wisdom, strength, and energy to successfully complete it. 
 
The other way I am staying sane in all this is by not going it alone.  I have prayed and believe God has led me to one key partner in each of these undertakings as well as several other helpers to carry the load together.  I believe that doing what God calls me to His way will make it all a success.
 
Come back tomorrow to read about the second thing that makes my washer and myself go a little crazy!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
 
Matthew 11:28-30


 
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
 
Galatians 6:2

A Poor Reflection

I took this picture for project 365 and I love it.  But not just because it’s cute.  Because when I look at Matthew’s reflection I see Caleb (6 mo.).  I’m not sure why, but his face came out so babyish that I could swear someone had photoshopped Caleb’s face into it. 
 
I see a baby, but what's there is is a boy.  What I see is a poor reflection, just a tiny part of what he really is. 
 
That’s what I see when I look at him normally to.  I see him as he is.  A sweet, energetic, goofy one and a half year old with big grins and sometimes big tears.  But it’s only a tiny piece of the man he will one day be.  I can’t see the whole picture. 
 
I sometimes think I catch a glimpse.  When he tries to run right over his big brother I see him as a teenage football player.  When he makes a big show and captures everyone’s attention I see the leader in him.  When he brings me books to read I see him studying and learning.  When he yells out in the middle of the store “Mommy, I love you!”  I see him as a man who is unafraid to say what’s in his heart.  I can see so much, but when it comes down to God’s purposes for him, what I see is just a speck.  A tiny grain of sand on the beach of what his life and influence will be. 
 
And I pray.  God make him the man you want him to be.


Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 
1 Corinthians 13:12

Taking Out Staples

We took Josiah to get his staples out tonight.  The ER was packed and he was not happy about being there.  I told him we were just getting the staples out, but he said he didn't want to.  I tried to explain to him that he was going to feel better after they took them out.  But he said no.  He likes the staples.  I just couldn't convince him that he would be better off without those two staples in his head.  What he knew was that the last time we were at the hospital getting the staples hurt.  What he knew was that touching the staples was certainly uncomfortable and could hurt.  What he knew was that if no one touched them and they were left alone they didn't hurt.  
 
What's in our lives that's like Josiah's staples?  Old ways of thinking.  Bad habits.  Borrowed faith.  Things that at one time helped us, but are hindering us now.  Crutches we used but no longer have any need for.  But if nobody touches them they don't hurt.  If no one messes with or enters that area everything's ok.  
 
What Josiah didn't know was that he would actually be better off without the staples.  It's the same thing we don't realize.  When we think something's harmless, or that we can't let it go.  

We need to get rid of those old bothersome staples by renewing ourselves and our minds in Christ.

 
Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go.  It's rotten through and through.  Get rid of it!  And then take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.  
 
Ephesians 4:22-24

The Not So Well Loved Ducky

I found this little ducky in the Target parking lot today and had to take a picture.  It’s dirty, beat up, abandoned, and forgotten.  It was left alone in a dangerous place where it could easily be run over, crushed, or injured.  Through all the dirt and imperfections is a cute little ducky with hearts all over it.  A remnant of innocence and love. 
 
It reminds me of the condition we find ourselves in when we first come to know Christ.  We are dirty, beat up, often times abandoned and forgotten.  We’re in danger and hurt, but under it all Christ finds a remnant of good.  His forgiveness comes and covers all our imperfections.  He cleans us up.  He heals our wounds.  He renews, restores, and redeems us. 
 
The world’s version of love leaves us scarred and longing for more, but the true love of God takes our dirty beat up heart and purifies it, makes it fit to receive and give true love.  What does that true love look like?

 
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.  Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

31 And Still Learning To Keep My Mouth Shut!

 
I had a friend over the other day and as we were chatting I found myself not once, but twice saying something negative about people we both knew.  It just slipped out.  Each time I wanted to take the words back as soon as I said them.  They weren’t mean words, nor were they attacks in any way, but they were unnecessary and unkind.  In the 3 or 4 hours we chatted only two comments slipped.  May not seem like much, but it was two to many. 
 
It’s something I find many of us struggle with.  To control the tongue may be the most difficult of all self controls.  It’s also essential for a successful life and ministry.  So let’s be quiet more.  Consider our words and their effect before they leave our mouths.  Let’s use them to give life.

 
The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.  Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart.  Words Kill, Words Give Life
 
Proverbs 17:27-28

 
The quiet words of the wise are more effective than the ranting of a king of fools.
 
Ecclesiastes 9:17

 
What matters is not your outer appearance - the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes - but your inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. 
 
1 Peter 3:3-4

A Popsicle, Two Staples, And Some Stickers

Oh My!  Where to start?!?!?  We were getting ready for my dad and his wife’s visit from California and Samuel was hanging a sheet in the living room to test a projector.  I was washing clothes and getting ready to watch a movie with the family while baking a birthday cake for my dad.  (His birthday was on Saturday, Happy Birthday Dad!)  Anyway, Sammy went to iron the sheet, and I ran into the kitchen for a minute to take the butter out of the fridge to soften.  The boys were in the living room with . . . the ladder Sammy was using to hang the sheet.  Oops!
 
It took less than 30 seconds.  I heard a bang and Josiah’s scream.  I ran in and saw him on the floor crying.  I looked up and saw 2 toy dinosaurs on the top of the ladder.  It wasn’t hard to put two and two together.  I ran to him and held him.  I asked where it hurt and he held the back of his head.  I held it for him and when I took my hand away it was covered in blood.  Sammy had run in when he heard also and I sent him to get a towel.  I held it on the cut and it stopped bleeding right away.  Josiah had even stopped crying and said he was better.  Of course I was telling him he was healed in Jesus’ name from the moment I got to him.
 
I was thinking that everything was fine and moved his hair to take a better look.  The cut was no longer bleeding at all, but it looked deep and was very open.  I knew it would need stitches as soon as I saw it.  I told Sammy.  He looked at it and started to get shoes on everyone and the baby in his car seat. 
 
By the time we got to the hospital Josiah was wanting to run around and was quite disappointed when he found out that no, we weren’t going to let him jump on the hospital bed.  A popsicle, two staples, and a few stickers later we left with a Josiah who was back to his cheerful self.

While I was definitely scared when I saw the blood, and I nearly cried when the nurse asked why the ladder was in the living room, throughout the whole ordeal I felt a calm and a peace inside.  I was able to do what was necessary without going into hysterics. 
 
While I felt and still feel I failed in my responsibility of protecting my children, I got past it and took care of it.  Instead of focusing on my weaknesses I focused on God’s power.  I declared healing and GOD was faithful to do the work.  I’ve still got a ways to go before reaching the point where I have no fear and avoid all panic, but I’m on my way.  Won’t you join me?

 
If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it.  The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast.  When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.
 
Psalm 94:17-19

 
When besieged, I’m calm as a baby.  When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.
 
Psalm 27:3

Asleep In My Arms

 
My baby falls asleep in my arms.  His expression is one of peace, of contentment, and of complete trust.  He has no fear or worry that something may happen to him.  He trusts I won’t drop him.  He knows he’s being held in the arms of the one who loves him, cares for him, provides for him.  And he rests.
 
Can you rest in your Father’s arms?  Can you sleep in His peace?  After all He is the one who loves you, cares for you, and provides for you.  When in His presence can you be at peace?  Content?  Completely trusting?

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, Hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.  The Creator of All You Can See or Imagine
 
Isaiah 40:11

 
. . . You’re at least decent to your own children.  So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
 
Matthew 7:11

I Dropped The Baby!

I turned 31 today.  I celebrated by baking cakes and eating them with friends and family.  Being with people that I love and enjoy spending time with.  In the morning I had brunch with some of my mama friends and their little ones.  I always have a great time when we hang out and am so blessed to have them in my life. 

After we had been at the restaurant a while Josiah came and said he had to go pee.  I was nursing Caleb so I asked him if he could wait.  Well he couldn’t.  One of my friends offered to take him, but he refused and hid behind me.  So off I went with a nursing baby to take Josiah to the bathroom. 

Soon Matthew saw that we were leaving and started to cry.  So I went back, helped him down from where he was sitting and we all headed to the bathroom together.  As we walked away I heard my Mama friends talking.  One of them said (referring to me, I think), “She’s got it.  Look, she’s such a  pro.”  And I thought, “yeah, I’ve got it.  I am kind of a pro.” 

We got to the restroom and as soon as Josiah was on the toilet my Mother In Law called.  I put the phone on speaker so we could talk while I helped Josiah, all of this while Caleb was still latched on tight.  I could do all this at once right?  After all, I was a pro! 

Then Matthew grabs the phone.  I tend to think that when in the restroom a one and a half year old should never have anything in his hands that can’t be easily replaced.  Because you never know what could end up being thrown in the toilet.  So I grabbed the phone away from him and took it off speaker. 

Josiah at this point has been telling me he’s done for at least two minutes and Caleb had detached himself from the breast.  I was kneeling with him in my arms in front of Josiah and when I leaned forward to help him off the potty the baby dropped out of my arms. 

Yes!  I dropped the baby!  Thank God I caught him to though.  Right before he hit the floor.  I really think his face must have been less than an inch from the floor.  I freaked out, but Caleb wasn’t even shaken.  He didn’t cry.  He didn’t make a sound and was smiling like nothing had even happened.  But I knew what had happened.  You better believe I knew and it shook me up. 

I praise God that Caleb didn’t hit the floor, that in reality no harm was done.  And although God surely did not cause me to drop my precious baby, he has used the incident to remind me of who I am.  To keep my feet on the ground.  I’m not a pro.  I’m a mom doing her best to care for her children the way God desires.  I’m humble, because with all my mistakes and missteps that’s all I can be.  I see things like this as opportunities to remember that everything that is good inside me is from the Lord and that He will use everything to my benefit.  Today he used a moment of carelessness to keep me humble, to keep me real.

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
 

Romans 8:28
 

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
 

Isaiah 66:2
 

And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.  It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
 

James 4:6

Stinky Sweet

Matthew had a SUPER stinky diaper yesterday.  And I mean SUPER stinky!!!  I know.  To much information, right?  But hang in with me, there’s a reason I’m describing the contents of my son’s diaper. 

If you have children in diapers and your husband and you are both home when one drops the stinky bomb, what happens?  Do you both run to voluntarily change it at once?  Does your husband say, “Sweetheart, you’ve been changing diapers all day long.  It’s my turn.”  Do you reply “No baby, I’ve got it.  You’ve had a long day at work, go put your feet up.”  No?  Really?  I’m shocked!!!  That doesn’t happen at our house either.  We tend to start out ignoring it, under the assumption that whoever “notices” it first should be the one to change it.  Then inevitably one of us will say to the other.  “Ummm I think Matthew’s stinky.”  We say this in the hopes that the other will in fact volunteer to change him. 

Well this time Samuel wasn’t home so it was going to be me either way.  So I took him to the changing table and it wasn’t pretty.  It was one of those times that I thanked God I wasn’t pregnant cause it would have sent me running to the bathroom!  Ok, enough description.  The point is that as soon as he was clean and redressed he started playing peek-a-boo with me.  And we stayed there.  And had the sweetest one-on-one mother son moment!  Smiling and giggling abounded.  I sigh and smile just remembering the joy on his face knowing that he and only he had my attention and affection for those few minutes. 

As I think back we’ve had a lot of great times standing at that changing table.  In fact when Josiah was a baby that was the one place we could be sure he’d smile.  We have a TON of pictures of him on that changing table.  It seems that cleaning the stinky poo off the bottom of your son, creates a special kind of bond.  A special kind of love. 

It’s similar to the bond that forms between God and his children, but our filth is MUCH stinkier than my Matthew’s diaper.  When He forgives us and cleanses us from our sin it’s always a bonding moment!  Our love grows for Him just like my son’s love grows for me.  It turns a stinky moment into a sweet one.

 

Impressive, isn’t it?  She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful.  If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

Luke 7:47

. . . This is God’s Message:  “If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white.  If they’re red like crimson, they’ll be like wool.
 
Isaiah 1:18

Thoughts On Blogging

As I contemplate my plans and goals for blogging in 2011 I consider many things and make many plans.  How to get to a certain Christian Blogger Conference (Relevant 2011).  How to be more faithful in blogging often.  How to build up my readers.  How to use the voice God has given me.  How to apply what I write to my life.  How to network and make profitable connections.  But what I really want to define is my purpose as a blogger.  I want to make sure that what I share uplifts and inspires. 

One thing I have considered in this is what version of the Bible to use.  I have been using NIV because it’s the most familiar, but on occasion use other versions that fit with what I’m writing more.  I’ve recently started to use The Message and am loving the way the language it uses is so real.  Definitely the way I want my writing style to be, real.  But all this has brought a key question to my mind.  One that I think is good for all bloggers, writers, preachers, etc. to ask themselves.

Do you look for a version of scripture to use that will most support your point, or do you look for the version that most clearly portrays the true meaning of the verse?

Hmm.  The true meaning of God’s word is what holds the power to transform and inspire.  We as bloggers have the opportunity to apply that power to our lives and chronicle the effect.

I want to be your voice Jesus.  I don’t want to use You to make my point.  I want to be used by You to make your point. 

So, get going.  I’ll be right there with you - with your mouth!  I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”
 
Exodus 4:12

I Want That Glow

I packed up a box of Caleb’s baby clothes that don’t fit anymore today.  They are going to a friend of a friend who will be having a boy soon.  When Josiah saw me he asked “What is that?”  I told him we were giving away the baby clothes because we weren’t going to have any more babies.  I actually said “no more babies in the Sanchez house.”  He got a worried look on his face and pointed to Caleb and said, “Yes!  We want baby!”  I think he thought we would be packing Caleb up in the box to. 
 

But it’s true.  No more babies for us.  Now if someone could just tell my subconscious that.  I keep dreaming that I’m pregnant.  That I have that beautiful rounded tummy again.  That I have that pregnancy glow.  I’m fighting against the desire to have that glow.  It tells the world there’s something brewing inside me.  It’s a sign of new life.  Of purpose.  Of a God given destiny.
 

Moses had that kind of a glow.  His was from words and truth God was birthing to his people through him.  His was from spending time in the presence of his Maker.  From seeing and conversing with the Lover of his Soul.  It was so strong that the people couldn’t see past the glow to see the person.  Now THAT”S the kind of glow I really want!  One that comes from God and comes with the promise that He is and will continue to use me for his purposes.

I want that glow.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two Tablets of The Testimony, he didn’t know that the skin of his face glowed because he had been speaking with God

Exodus 34:29

Giveaways

I’ve recently entered the world of Twitter and with it the world of Christian Mom Bloggers.  There’s a lot of them out there and I never knew I’d find them on Twitter.  This has also opened up the world of giveaways to the Sanchez house.  I’ve entered many in the past month and won several.  I’ve won a beautiful pitcher, a crayon roll, baby toys (the above pic is of Caleb playing with his favorite giveaway win), a baby shirt, and a year long membership to a site that helps with planning and offering resources for teaching children about the bible.  Yesterday I won something special.  

I had asked my husband for a certain necklace for Christmas. He got me something else that I totally love instead. I entered a giveaway yesterday and what did I win?  A gift certificate that will completely cover the cost of the necklace I really wanted. When my husband got home and I told him (I was SUPER excited), He smiled and said he wasn’t surprised. He had been praying that God would provide for everything I desired! Amazing how God (and my hubby) care about even the smallest details.  My happiness and wellbeing is important to God.  He’s paying attention and in subtle and very personal ways He shows His great love for me.  

. . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 6:28-30

This post is appropriately linked up to The Rusted Chain’s “Fingerprint Friday”  Thanks for the giveaway!  How cool is it that you were part of my seeing God’s fingerprint on my life this week.

http://www.blog.therustedchain.com/2011/01/fingerprint-friday.html

Check out the necklace I’m going to order.  http://therustedchain.bigcartel.com/product/three-names-necklace 

The Old Becomes New

It’s cleaning day at the Sanchez house.  Well actually cleaning afternoon.  We took the boys to Abuelita’s (grandma’s) house this morning, so I could come home and work on the house.  Cleaning, taking down and packing away Christmas decorations, laundry and writing.  We headed out this morning with the intention of dropping off the two older boys and coming home right away, but we love my mother in law way to much not to sit at her table, have breakfast and chat.  Besides as soon as we got there my father in law pulled Samuel away to help him with some kind of project.  So by the time we left it was after noon. 
 

As I’ve been packing up the tree and decorations I look around and my house seems to be becoming new again.  It’s getting cleaner, more spacious, more streamlined.  It’s starting to look just like it did a month ago, but it seems new to me.  Funny how the old suddenly seems new.  It’s like fashion I guess.  Changes bring old things back and makes them look new. 
 

It also reminds me of scripture.  The first King James Version of the Bible was published in 1611!  That’s OLD!  And the Bible was around long before that.  But when we read it and put it into practice it becomes new to us and it renews us.  It’s incredible how some of the oldest things written can make a man’s soul new!  And there it is.  It’s happening everyday.  The old becomes new.
 

Have you been made new by the power of Christ?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

A New Year, A New Start

What a year 2010 was.  A year of challenges and a year of favor.  A year of struggle and a year of provision.  A year of illness and a year of healing.  With everything that happened and everything we went through God showed himself faithful in ALL things.

The most memorable?  Baby Caleb of course!  After beginning the pregnancy with a month of bleeding and bedrest at 30 weeks I went into labor and my water broke.  At the hospital they gave me too much medicine and at one point I turned to the nurse.  I said “I’m going to pass out now.”  And I did.  Within seconds I was seeing a beautiful, pure, and radiant light.  My soul responded and said “Senor, estamos en tus manos.”  (“Lord we are in your hands”)  I was in perfect peace.  Then I started to hear my name and the nurses asking me if I could hear them.  A few minutes later I was able to respond.

Years ago when I was in college I wrote a goal for my life.  It was “To live in such communion with God that at the end of my life I will neither run towards the light nor away from it, but that my first instinct will be to fall to my knees and as the Lord what HIS will was for me in that moment.”  What a confirmation that I am on the right path.  After this I spent a week in the hospital and miraculously God resealed my womb.  I went home and spent the rest of the pregnancy on bedrest and on July 15th Caleb was born full term and in perfect health!

This really sums up 2010 for me.  There were many difficult times, but God brought us through them all and in the end we have his perfect divine health physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

So now I’m looking forward to 2011 and believing that it will be better.  I feel we have been through a purifying fire and come out ready to see God use us in new ways.

When I began to read and look for a verse for my first blog of the year I was looking for a declaration of victory, for a promise.  What I found was a possibility.  That with the Lord’s blessing what we begin to plant now, we can reap a hundredfold by the end of the year.  I was looking for a verse where God was declaring a year of abundance in all good things, what He showed me was that it takes two.  We need His blessing but we also need our planting.

What do you want to reap this year? Start planting! 



Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.


Genesis 26:12