rewards

I just LOVE being a mom! I never knew being a mom was going to steal my heart as much as it has! I love the verse in Psalms 127:3 that says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." I love it so much because most every mom (or dad!) would feel that their child is a gift. And I do believe that God give GOOD gifts. This verse says children are a REWARD from God. A reward has a totally different connotation! It encourages me, that even though my life has had it's shares of ups and downs, that I have been doing SOMETHING right if God chose to reward me. Silas is SUCH a beautiful reward. He makes me smile everyday and when I look at him I feel God's love for me. Silas often gets passed around at church and people always want to talk and interract with him. It is so much fun when Silas smiles at someone else and encourages their day. It makes me so glad to share him...to share my reward with others.

side note:

Oh my word - I had to post both of these pictures! I was just looking through some files and I came across this SONOGRAM from last January! Oh my word - it made me cry - MIRACLE!

he will make a way

Can I just say that God IS on our side, no matter how small! He made a way where I thought there was no way! Do you ever self-impose guilt like I do? I have been struggling ever since having baby Silas in June about getting to the gym, because after work, that is the LAST thing on my mind! I felt guilty for not going straight home to spend the last few hours of my day with him, but then I felt guilty for not going to the gym. It was a catch-22! I couldn't win!

Then, it hit me:
1. Change gyms so it is closer to work.
2. Go in the morning! I originally had the idea to go to the gym at lunchtime, BUT...even better, I found out the gym opens at 7:30 am and I don't have to be to work until 8:30 am!!

I have been LOVING going in the morning - and the best thing?! It doesn't hang over my head the rest of the day!

wonderful husband!

I was SOOOO excited to get my Valentine's Day present EARLY! Friday night Scott took me out to dinner and said we were going to get my Valentine's present afterwards because I had to be there with him to pick it out. I was so thrilled to find out we were going to the jewelery store to pick out this pave set pink Sapphire I had been hinting at (for Mother's Day). Most of you know I have a September birthday, so Sapphire is my birthstone and the (lab-generated, ugh) pink Sapphires are soooo beautiful!! I walked in and went right to them! They were sparkling sooo much and I couldn't breathe! I was so thrilled to leave with a beautiful ring from my wonderful hubby!

I am so thankful to God for giving me a great husband, and although we're not perfect, God has been blessing us as we put Him first in our marriage and family. I am so lucky and blessed!

out of place

Today I was reminded of how close to the East Side we really live. At Elmwood we talk a lot about minstering to our city, about reaching every man, woman and child with God's love and we frequently partner with organizations who are making a difference. I guess I can get kinda busy and God reminded me again today that he has us living in this place for a reason. Scott and I always wondered why we moved to the Buffalo/Cheektowaga border. I mean, the only thing separating us from the East Side is a HUMONGOUS cemetary. I AM IN a mission field. I know that, I just sometimes forget.

Well, I was invited to an event this afternoon where I felt so out of place. I traveled to the East Side for this women's event and felt the only things I had in common with these women was the fact that my nails were done and I had on big earrings. Didn't realize traveling to that part of the city would mean that my snow-covered, red-lined zebra flats would leave my feet a little wet. They asked me where my boots were. Guess I chose the wrong shoes today.

I have been on missions trips and in situations where you eat whatever is given to you, just to be gracious. Today felt like one of those times. I had a BIG plate of food - I mostly tried to load up with fruit - and wasn't hungry at all. I had just eaten six tacos. Homemade tacos at home are a weekly staple at our house. I can eat them like crazy! They were sure to point out that I didn't get such and such salad or shrimp or.... I felt like I was going to burst. All the while thinking, "I went to the gym for NOTHING today, since I'm eating all the calories I burned!"

It's been a funny day. But all that to say, in the midst of the drama and drive through the city, God allowed me time to pray for my city, and reminded me to take ownership in my circle of influence.

lysol

I'm sure you own a can, too. As I was listening to a speaker at a conference last night, I was reminded of this white can whose home is beneath my sink and some lessons I need to re-learn. I tend to be like the example she used: controlling. I think many of us female-type are. Ever since the garden of Eden, Eve (and every woman thereafter) has been continuing her legacy of controlling people, situations, things...the list could go on. We waltz around our homes and churches spraying our cans of Lysol, hoping to sanitize the world. We make list after list to make sure everything gets done in our way and in our time. And we even send God memos in order to check up on Him and how well (or not) he's accomplishing his tasks: "How's it coming with so-and-so? I told you I needed help with her" and "Did you fix his attitude yet?" or "How are you coming with that project? I needed that resolved by Friday." What Jackie Kendall reminded me of was that the issue of control ROBS YOUR JOY. It steals it right out from under you! We have to consistently (daily, minute-by-minute) put our faith and trust in our heavenly Father to work things out in his timing and according to his plans. His ways are higher than mine. He sees the whole picture and plan. I guess that gets me off the hook. After all, I've been known to be wrong on occasion!

espresso beans

I traded my coffee for espresso beans. Saturday I made some coffee at home, which I never do because I have never pretended I am a barista or even close to one! Which is why I go to Starbucks. The coffee turned out weak and I was disappointed. So I traded my coffee for espresso beans. My sister got me a big bag of Choxie chocolate-covered espresso beans for Christmas. Yum! So I was thinking, I traded my coffee - pretty low calorie - for chocolate covered espresso beans - high everything - calories, fat, caffeine - you name it. Hmm.

Was it worth the trade? I don't know, but I did it. I made the trade because I thought it would be better and it made me start thinking about other areas of my life. What else am I trading? Do I trade-in because I think one thing will be better than another or that I have a better answer or solution? What have I traded God for? Has he just quietly taken things I've handed Him because He's a nice guy and just not said anything? Have the trade-in's been worth it? I could totally be missing out on something and not even know it!

the best is yet to come

2007 marks the year I have accepted God's love for me even more. I'm not sure if it's becuase of the birth of our child, but as I reflect on 2007, I have a deeper relationship with Christ because of His love for me. Knowing he loves me unconditionally is amazing. Loving myself with that same unconditional love he has for me is a new step. I have seen so many women who are frazzled, overworked, exhausted and continually comparing themselves to the next gal...never content with who God's love allows them to be. God's love allows me to be complete. Who I am IS enough. There is nothing I can add or subtract to myself to make be better or worse in God's sight. It's an easy concept to say, but not such an easy concept to live. Because of who I am in his sight already makes me a 10! Women, claim it!

I can just imagine as God sees this space called "2008" on the timeline of infinity, he is thinking, "the best is yet to come!" I am so excited to see what he has in store for me for 2008. I was reminded Sunday that he is my biggest fan. Nobody supports me more. As I enter 2008 and all the unknowns of what raising a toddler son will hold, what challenges being a wife will bring, it is so thrilling to know I will succeed because I have the biggest cheering section in the world!