Everyday Grace

monthly blogger

2009-03-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

I decided I am going to be a monthly blogger. Seems with everything going on this is one of the last things I have time to do.

Today on the way over to guitar lessons, Camden and I got to talking about how all the disciples had died. Most of it is church tradition but it was an interesting conversation to have with a 10 year old. It led to the question would you be willing to die for your belief in Jesus. Camden didn't know if he would be willing to die such a terrible painful death. I think that is okay to doubt and told him that.

I find now with 4 kids it is hard to be constantly up on everything that is going on in their lives but if I can take every opportunity given me with them maybe I can seize the time and use it for His glory.

Number one goal for your teenager

2009-02-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

Being a teacher and a youth volunteer, you get to observe teenagers and parents in many different arenas of life. I believe if you asked most Christian parents what they want most for their kids lives they would respond with " I want my kid to love Jesus" Great response. But I have noticed over the 17 years of doing youth ministry rarely is this reflected in the way the parents are raising their kids. It also makes me evaluate what I am doing with my own kids. How can kids grow in their faith if church and youth group is not a number one priority? How can we say we want our kids to be strong followers of Jesus if we allow them to skip church because of homework or sports? 20 years from now is the investiment of time we had them make in other activities outside of church going to be worth it?

In youth group we are all trying to read the Bible for 48 days straight. There is one family I know of who is doing this together. Reading a passage of scripture together and discussing it. This is an investment that is eternal. This investment will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Am I investing in my kids eternal life? Am I making the things that really matter a priority? Or am I giving into the culture where grades and sports reign higher than God?

Any thoughts???

Happily Married

2009-01-05T15:23:00.001-08:00

After yesturday's sermon in which my wonderful husband made me feel so appreciated and validated, I thought I would reply in kind by writing about him. I can't imagine life without him. He is not perfect but he is my perfect match. He is the most loving, caring, funny, exciting man I have ever met and I am honored to be his best friend. God being the center of our relationship is what makes it work so well. So to Jason - I love you!

spiritual boyfriend

2008-11-29T08:22:00.000-08:00

"Don't be unequally yoked" How many times have we heard this used in dating or marrying a non-believer. The ramifications for dating a non-christian are huge. Marrying a non-believer are even bigger. I think too many times we make unwise decisions in who we date. We want to hope that that person will become a follower of Jesus. We justify it by saying maybe we are the tool to get them saved. And all the while we know that it is an unwise decision.

What I believe happens is when we are dating an unbeliever, there is a part of us that is craving a spiritual leader. So for us women we find a spiritual boyfriend along with our regular boyfriend. A relationship than is formed with this other person to fulfill our spiritual need. While all the while we are dating another person who is fulfilling our physical, emotional and friendship need. ANd the person who is the spiritual boyfriend suffers.

Does it then make sense that we should never date an unbeliever? A boyfriend and potential husband needs to fill all those needs especially the spiritual one.

I have been married to my spiritual boyfriend for over 16 years. I can't imagine what it would be like if he didn't believe in Jesus.

Thoughts?!

She is loved

2008-11-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

Could a family love her anymore than the Mason family. Some of my best friends all come from an unbelievable family!!!!! I love you Amy, Rachel and Carrie!!!!!

beautiful day

2008-11-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

after the election i have never seen so many people upset. Did God leave His throne on the 4th or is He still in control?
there are still beautiful days ahead!!!!!!! we just need to look around around and see Him working.

It's a beautiful day, don't let it slip away!

still undecided

2008-11-04T05:31:00.001-08:00

Okay. It is 8:30am and I am still undecided on who I am going to vote for today. I been asking questions, investigating each candidate and really praying. Which candidate is best for me personally? Which candidate will help me? Which candidate is best for the country? Which candidate would Jesus vote for? Which candidate follows the Biblical principles laid out in the Bible? I find it interesting that Jesus never condemns the current government or the current leader in the government. He condemns the religious leaders but not the Roman officials. If anyone should have been upset about the killing of innocent children, He would have been since a whole group of children were killed because of his birth. Why didn't he say anything? ANd Paul. Many people were being crucified and put in prison for their beliefs and does he ever condemn the government? It just got me thinking about how am I suppose to vote as a follower of Jesus. Since my whole life is baised on following the Bible, it should affect the way I vote.

Top 10 reasons I love weekends

2008-10-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

10. I get to kinda sleep in. (all depends on baby girl)

9. Jason or myself get to go on a date with one of the boys. (This week was my turn with Mason and we went to Moes)

8. I get to work out and play tennis with a great group of women.

7. We try and do something with the whole family or at least some of them that is outdoorsey

6. We get to travel sometimes to fun places like IUP homecoming.

5. I get to clean the house up. I know you all think I am crazy but I like to do it.

4. We get to eat dinner together as a family.

3. We get to go to an awesome church: Grace!!!!!!

2. I get to spend time with my 4 kids.

1. I get to spend time with my best friend: Jason

fun at mason farms

2008-09-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

weekend

2008-09-27T11:19:00.001-07:00

i am loving weekends! finally get to relax!

staying focused

2008-09-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

my # 2 and # 3

i am trying to stay focused this year on staying focused on what is important. 1. my relationship with my best friend - Jesus 2. my relationship with my best earthly friend - my husband 3. my relationships with the gifts God has given me - my children. 4. my relationship with the family I was born into 5. my friends - without them I would be lost. After that comes job, church and myself. This is sometimes so hard to keep in focused but I know this order needs to happen if I am going to survive.

2008-09-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

I miss summer!

school days

2008-08-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

We all have made it! Camden loves 5th grade. He has a very young teacher who is really into science which is cool with him. Camden is also going to be a school bus guard. Logan likes 3rd grade. He is a little nervous about all the homework but he likes his teacher. Mason is starting pre-school along with going to the daycare at my school 3 days a week. He didn't even cry when I dropped him off. Mckenzie is going to daycare every day with me and is doing very well. I go down twice a day to nurse her. If she is asleep, I pump and she is taking a bottle from the staff person. I am doing okay. I realize I can't do everything perfect and I need to lower my expectations in regards to having everything in order all the time. I love my classes this year. I teach 6th math, 6th science, 6th literature, 2 classes of 11th/12th Bible and Economics.

God is Good!

scared

2008-08-16T19:16:00.001-07:00

Feeling a little overwhelmed with everything. I have to go to work on Thursday and Mckenzie will start going to the daycare at the school where I teach. I can go down and nurse her during my breaks but I still don't know how I am going to do it all. Marriage, Family, School, Church, Friends... So pray that I don't try to do too much and keep everything in perspective.

passed out

2008-08-16T19:14:00.001-07:00

Mason didn't want to take a nap in the afternoon since Camden had a friend over and he wanted to play with him. He ended up passing out in the pile of legos exhausted! Thought this was a funny picture.

enjoying our summer

2008-08-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

mason riding a horse in Saxonburg.

boys on a boat ride on the bay

jason taking a nap with mckenzie

camden and jason playing golf

sleeping in the van

2008-08-04T13:31:00.001-07:00

Everyone sleeping in the van on the way to Saxonburg. Camden was up front talking with dad while everyone else took a nice nap.

Presque Isle Days

2008-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesturday we went to Presque Isle Days. It was a great time and it was really crowded. Of course I like to go for the food but I didn't get my funnel cake. Mckenzie did well and here is a picture of her taking a break.

mckenzie 2 weeks

2008-07-18T16:54:00.001-07:00

Mckenzie is a good sleeper for the most part. I had her outside at Camden's soccer game above and then she was sleeping on one of our chairs outside our house.

more pictures

2008-07-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

Day at the Pool

2008-06-27T12:47:00.001-07:00

zoo

2008-06-18T16:33:00.001-07:00

prayer

2008-06-18T06:13:00.001-07:00

Last night we talked about prayer.

I am a teacher by trade. I love teaching. I wanted the students last night to experience prayer in as many ways as possible.

We went through the ACTS acronym.

For A (adoration) I had the students take a piece of paper and draw, write or design on the paper everything they adore about God. Then we broke into groups of two and shared our adoration.

For T (thanksgiving) I had the students write down everything in their lives they are thankful for. We then went around and shared the top 5 things we are thankful for. I had students adding things that others said.

For S (supplication) I had the students and the leaders write down one thing they wanted prayer for for themselves. Not others. Then a leader stood behind the student and prayed over that student in regards to that prayer request. I had the leaders share their prayer request and a student stood behind them and prayed over them.

For C (confession) I had each student and leader go off by themselves and confess their sins to God for 5 minutes. I then read Pslams 51 out loud to close.

Now during the time of supplication one of the students really shared from her heart and was crying. I could have let the time the leader prayed for that student be the only time we addressed this student. But I chose at the end to have all of us stand around this student touching her and praying for her. I read a scripture verse to close the time which dealt with what was hurting her.

After the time of praying over the student I explained to the others that we need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit when we pray. And when an opportunity arises, to be aware of it and then to have the courage to address it and pray.

It was a great night.

Compassion

2008-06-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

Passion and Compassion. Last night was youth group.

I have a passion for the youth. Not just the youth at our church but youth in general. I like to be around them. I enjoy their company. I enjoy that they question everything. I enjoy their laughter. I enjoy them.

I also have compassion for them because a lot of them are searching. A lot of them are harassed and are helpless. And no one is leading them like a shepherd. No one is offering them help when they need help. No one is introducing them to the healer.

I am called by God to work with youth. I have a passion for it. I have compassion for them.

waiting

2008-06-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

I know with all this free time you would think I would update my blog. Sorry. Mostly I am just waiting for Mckenzie to be born. I hate waiting. I would love to be in labor right now. Besides being frustrated about waiting everything else is going well. Her heart beat went back to normal two weeks ago and her kidneys are still enlarged but aren't getting bigger which is good.