On Taking a Sabbath Day

Sabbath, a day of rest. When I hear of other people taking a sabbath I recognize its importance and in fact, I encourage it. The last few weeks and months have been busy and even at night my dreams have been occupied with all I have coming up so I haven't really rested. Hubby and close friends have encouraged me to take some time and I always have a million excuses of why I can't. Most of those excuses have to do with my unwillingness to allow other people to step in and help. After all, I'm supposed to be Supermom, Superwife, Superpreschool director, Supereverything. Right?!

Finally, after feeling completely overwhelmed at the beginning of this week, I decided that I had to make the time to rest and take a sabbath. So on Wednesday, as part of my preparation for the upcoming General Conference, I took a sabbath day. I needed to get my head clear and my heart in sync with God. With the sunroof open and the windows down, I headed out to the beach. On my way there, I sang at the top of my lungs...some praise and worship and some oh so spiritual Jimmy Buffet and Zac Brown Band. With one hand on the wheel and the other out the window dancing in the wind, I enjoyed the ride. Isn't that what we are supposed to do in life? Enjoy the ride? Sometimes I forget that.

Playalinda Beach is a sacred place for me. I always feel closer to God with sand between my toes and the sounds of the surf. Walking over the boardwalk, that first glimpse of waves with the sun glistening on the water, I take a deep breath and smell and taste the salt. This is heaven. With only one other family on the beach, I could spread out my sheet and just be. I had invited a friend to join me and she was on her way. Until she arrived, it was just God and me. I took deep cleansing breaths and felt the stress melt away. By the time my friend got there, I was ready for fellowship. We laid there talking about life experiences...things that mattered and things that didn't. We laughed, we commiserated, we enjoyed being together. We had such a good time that we lost track of time and I almost made her late picking up her kids!

It was a good day. I came home in a very different frame of mind. I felt rested, connected and put together for the first time in a while. I don't know what took me so long to do this, but I will learn to listen to my soul the next time and make the time.

Being Still

I am back from a most wonderful vacation on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  We went to Siesta Key and spent a week on the beach with my extended family.  We have been doing this for many years and even my mom went with her parents as a child.  The Sunday before we left for our trip, God spoke to me through the children's message at church.  Ms. Nancy used a verse that God has used in my life many times throughout the years.  I tend to be a very busy person, always doing something and God says, "Be still and know that I am God."  As Nancy pointed out to the children, if we are constantly doing and going and talking, how will we ever hear God?  God needs for us to take time out and to just be still.  So that's why I haven't been blogging, I've been trying to be still in the presence of God and soak up His words and bask in His presence.  It's been amazing.  For the first time in I can't tell you how long, I am not stressed.  I feel relaxed and I am at peace.  God really showed off while we were at the beach.

Sunset at the beach is my favorite time of the day.

That same night of that beautiful sunset, God gave us a rainbow too!

As I walked on the beach, played in the waves, laughed with my kids, and reconnected with Hubby, my batteries were recharged.  I laughed A LOT.  When the adults gathered in our condo for a Wii party, we had such fun.  Rock Band was a hoot ~ my sister especially rocked the microphone at 1 a.m.  I realized how truly blessed I am and how much I appreciate the closeness of my wonderfully supportive family. 

It's good to be back and getting into the swing of things again.  God is good.  I had my time away and now it's time time get back to it.  This is a big week at our house...Prince and Princess will turn 7 on Thursday!

Battling The Waves

We went to the beach this afternoon and spent several hours relaxing, watching the children play and playing with them in the water.  It was a beautiful day and we so enjoyed our time together.

We don't allow the kids to go out in the water past their ankles without one of us with them, for fear they will get caught in the rip current.  So after they played patiently in ankle deep water for a while, Hubby and I joined them in the water and took them out further to jump over the waves.  We had such a good time, trying not to let the power of the waves knock us under.

Princess, bless her heart, kept getting swept under, but she would come up smiling every time saying, "This is great!"  However, after a while, I noticed that whenever a wave came, she would hold onto my waist and use my strength and stability to help keep her from going under.  As I watched, I began to think about our relationship with God and the parallel between what Princess was doing and what we should do.  I have faced many situations where I have been knocked off of my feet, thrown for a loop, and pulled under the water.  As I struggle to find my way back to my feet I finally get my footing, before another wave comes and knocks me down again.  There will always be struggles, they will keep coming, just as the waves never stop.  Some are bigger than others, some more powerful and life changing than others, but I can be certain that they will always come.  I can try to bolster up and handle these on my own, or I can cling to God, who gives me strength and reinforcement when I need it.  If I cling to Him, my chances of going under are much less.  God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble ~ Psalm 46:1. 

I'm so glad Princess was hanging on to me this afternoon, using my strength so that she didn't have to continually be knocked down.  I'll bet my Heavenly Father is glad when I hang on to Him and gain my strength from Him.  I seem to make things much harder than they have to be when I try to go it alone.  It's so tiring when you try to fight those battles by yourself over and over again.  He's standing there, just waiting for me to reach out and grab hold, it's mine if I'll only hang on. 

What a sweet reminder from a sweet blessing from God!

Random Thoughts on Tuesday



Random Thoughts on a Tuesday Morn

1.  My Mother's Day was amazing!  Hubby and the kiddos made and served me a blt for breakfast.  I don't like to eat in bed, so we gathered at the dining room table, where they each said prayers of thanksgiving for me.  It was so sweet!  Hubs got me a charm for my pandora bracelet, precious moments figurines and a kindle.  We went to church and then had a pool party at my mom and dad's house. 

2.  While we were at my parents' house, we talked Prince into getting a buzz cut.  My sister did the honors and it came out so cute.  I think he looks older.  Prince has been reisisting this for a few weeks because he was afaid he would "look bold (bald) like Daddy."  He seems happy with it.  Princess keeps telling him how handsome he looks.

3.  I can not see my followers on my blog page.  Why would this be?  Have I done something to the set-up?  I can see them when I look at my blog from my i-phone, but not from my computer.  This bothers me.  Anybody have any advice on how to fix this?

4. Last Friday was promotion day in tae kwon do.  Both kiddos got their yellow belts and they were so proud.  I'm really pleasantly surprised at how much better they are doing than when they first started.

                                                           Here is the Prince in action.

Princess shows off her high block.

5.  On Saturday we went to the beach.  Prince found a giant hole that someone else dug and had Princess pouring water on him like it was his own private swimming pool. 

It's great if you can get someone to wait on you.  Perhaps that is a perk of having a twin. 

The beach was amazingly relaxing.  I didn't want to leave.  Hubby and I ventured out into the water with the kids and it was COLD!  The kids don't care, they have been going in the ocean since February.  This was the first time we had gone in this year and it was still too cold.



Weekend Recap

How can it be Sunday night already?  On the other hand, I think I need to return to work tomorrow so that I can get a little rest.  It has been quite the eventful weekend.
Saturday we made it out to the beach for a few hours.  It was such a beautiful day!

Princess buried her daddy's feet in the sand. 

The water was really cold, but Prince still got in.  I'm sure that probably makes me a bad mommy, but he had fun.

Saturday was also my dad's birthday.  Happy birthday Daddy!

I am so thankful that God gave me such an awesome and amazing Daddy!  He has always been there for me and would do anything to help anybody.  To know him is to love him and I am so glad that my kids have him for a Grandaddy. 

After going to church and out ot lunch today, we came home to get some things done around the house.  I also took the kids back over to my parents' house to so they could help Grandma with her new garden.  Last week she asked each of the grandkids to choose what they would like to come plant and be responsible for in the garden.  So today was planting day. 

Check out Princess' planting outfit.  Can you tell she picked it out herself?  She chose to plant broccoli.  Broccoli is probably her all time favorite veggie.

Prince chose carrots. 

My nephews planted watermelons, more carrots, and greenbeans.  Grandma picked other veggies for us to help plant too and it was great fun.

Grandma and Princess spent a lot of time at the garden this afternoon planting and watering after everyone else had determined they were done.  Princess says she is hoping to have a green thumb like her grandma.  She doesn't get it from her Mama, that's for sure.  I have a hard enough time remembering to feed and water my kids, much less the plants.  My father-in-law can grow anything.  Perhaps she'll inherit those genes and be very good at growing fruits and veggies. 

As Hubby and I sit and watch the Oscars tonight, I am realizing how out of touch I am that I haven't seen many of these movies at all.  Wow, having kids will do that to you I guess.  Well, I have seen Toy Story 3, go figure.  We actually did see The King's Speech and liked it very much.  OK, signing off to watch the awards with Hubby.  Good night!

Big God, Big Blessings

We serve a  big God.  There are so many reminders each day of how amazing He is, if only we will take them in.  I want to share a few of the reminders I have noticed in the last few days.

God made this beautiful beach.  The waves are so powerful and big yet...

He also made these delicate shells and He knows how many grains of sand are on this beach.

God made Prince's feet that are growing bigger by the day.  They started out as tiny little baby feet and look at them now!  These feet carry Jesus with him wherever he goes. 

God gave me not one, but TWO miracle children to love and to teach them about God's love for all of us.  I still can't fully understand God's love for us, but having children has brought me closer to that idea of unconditional love.

Speaking of unconditional love, God has given me a soul mate to share this life with me.  He's my partner in crime and my partner in life.  I know how much he loves me because every year on Black Friday he braves the stores and the maddening crowds "just for the fun of it" with me.  This relationship is truly a gift from God, He ordained it years ago and He knew even before I did, who my sweet Hubby would be.

My sweet sister.  God gave me this sister to grow up and old with.  We are forever connected with a bond that has so connected our hearts and lives, we often know when one is hurting, even though we aren't together.  We've always been that way.  The truth of the matter is that at times we drive each other totally insane, mostly because we have such different personalities.  But there is no relationship like that of a sister.  You can be at odds one minute, but then if you need her, she's right there cheering you on.  My sister is one of the most loyal and giving people I know.  I'm so glad God gave me a sister.  Look at Sweet Cheeks, sitting on her lap.  How can you not know that God made those precious, kissable cheeks?!

Last night we went to the final roll out of Space Shuttle Discovery.  It was awesome.  Yes, I am quite aware that this machine was made by man, but I can't help but be awestruck when I think that it takes man into space to see the amazingly intricate universe God created. 

It is so tempting to get caught up in the hectic, busy day and not pay attention to my surroundings.  To really look, and appreciate those people and things that God has placed in my life because He loves me.  But when I look around and see it, really notice the people and things He has done for me, I am amazed.  I am amazed that He can love me so much.  Amazed at all He created.  Amazed and so in love with Him! 

Super Saturday

Yesterday we spent a beautiful day at the beach.  We are such spontaneous people, we didn't even plan this ahead of time.  That's about as spontaneous as we get, as Hubby and I usually plan our weekends out to the nth degree, making the most of each minute.  We're working toward being more spontaneous mostly because we are just tired.  Tired of running here and there and it takes a lot of work to plan it all out.  OK so looking at our calendar maybe we can try for one unplanned weekend a month because we've pretty much got the next several weekends planned out.  Baby steps people, baby steps!

On the way out to the beach, I ran in Publix to get some food to take with us.  When I returned to the car I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Hubby had selected some nice Michael W. Smith praise music from my i-pod.  I said, "Hubby, Michael W. Smith?  Wow!"  He says, "Well, I WAS playing a song from the Pretty Woman soundtrack until your son said, 'Dad, would this song glorify Jesus?  I don't think it's a Jesus song.  I think we need to listen to music that would praise Jesus.'"  So Hubby had to pick something that would glorify Jesus.  I love my kids!  They're going to have their daddy listening to praise and worship music yet. 

The beach was gorgeous and relaxing.  After coming home to shower, we went on a scavenger hunt for fried oysters.  Hubby was craving them and we drove about 20 minutes to a restaurant in another town only to find a big sign on the door that said they were out of oysters.  So we drove back to town to try a new restaurant by the pier that was really good.  I guess we should have started there to begin with.  We had a great dinner out and came home for Family Game Night.  All in all, we had a fantastic day and really enjoyed each other's company.

Beautiful Seashells

While my sister, Princess and I were collecting shells on the beach, I couldn't help looking at all of these beautiful shells and thinking about how they are empty vessels, waiting for something to come live inside of them. This theme continued to play again and again in my mind and I began to think about how this relates to people. Then, my sister made an interesting comment to Princess. She said, "Princess, have you noticed that the most beautiful shells have something living in them? It reminds me that the most beautiful people have Jesus living in their hearts."

At that moment, it all clicked. We are all like shells...those empty vessels, waiting for something or in this case Someone to come and dwell within us. Some people recognize that they need Jesus in their hearts and ask Him in and they are so beautiful because He comes and fills them up, fills them with life, love, His Holy Spirit. Then there are others who know they long for something, but they don't know what it is. They search many different places, looking for something, anything that will fill them up and make them happy, but they don't know what it is. Everytime they think "this is it!" but it leaves them feeling empty once again. Today I pray for all of those who are lost and searching, that they will find Jesus and He will come to dwell within their hearts. I pray that God will use me in whatever ways He sees fit, to show His love and beauty to the world.

Weather Woes

The first two days of our vacation were rainy, yucky days. The rain did break so that we could have a cook-out and see some amazing fireworks on the beach and for that I am truly thankful. We also got some great July 4th pics of the kids, which I will post. After watching it pour down rain all day yesterday, we all were a bit frustrated and ready to build an ark. At bedtime last night Princess said a special prayer that Jesus would let us have a sunny day at the beach today. Almost immediately after the amen, Princess said, "Mommy, I'm sad about something."
Me:"What is it, Princess?"
Princess: "Well Mommy, I don't know if Jesus heard my prayers. What if he isn't listening or what if he makes it rain tomorrow anyway and we have another day that we can't go outside to the beach? I really want to go to the beach tomorrow."
Me: "I don't think you have to worry about Jesus not hearing your prayers. He always hears our prayers. The thing is, it's never a guarantee that Jesus is going to do what we want him to do. Sometimes, he has to do something else and it isn't what we want because it is what's best for us or for everyone else."
That's a hard lesson to learn. I've been struggling with that one for a long time and I don't always understand the whys. I know it's hard for an almost 6 year old to understand.
Guess what...when we woke up this morning the sun was shining so brightly through the blinds! Princess' first words as she woke up were, "Jesus answered my prayer. We can go to the beach!"
And it has been a beautiful day at the beach at that. More pictures to come...Hubby has made a video from them that I'll try to post later.

Let Vacation Begin!

Let the vacation begin! I have been looking forward to this family vacation all year. Tomorrow morning we will leave for the beach for a week. The beach is baby powder soft and white. We have been coming to this same spot for many years. In fact, my mother came to this same place when she was a girl. When we go, it is my Mema, aunt, uncle, and cousins, my sister and her family, my parents and the four of us. There have been years when we have missed going, but mostly we try to go and it is such a great week.

This is the Prince and Princess playing on the beach last year.
A few of the things I am looking forward to doing at the beach:
~digging my toes in the sand
~relaxing on the beach, watching my kids play in the sand
~quiet time alone with God in the mornings
~date night with Hubby!
~seafood
~spending uninterrupted time with my extended family
~seeing my cousins that I don't often get to see
~laughing and playing with my kids without the distractions of every day life
~watching the perfect sunset night after night

I took these pictures of the Prince and Princess last year while we were down waiting for the sun to set. They are among my favorite of all times. I think it looks like God is just shining down His love on them. I also think that it looks like my children are worshipping and enjoying the beautiful world God created for them, for all of us.

Character Building? No thanks, I have enough!

Tough times never last, but tough people do. Robert Schuller was right about that. This last week has been a tough one for me. I've had to make some big decisions and sometimes doing the right thing is just plain hard. Sometimes I just want to tell God that I don't need any more of these character building experiences, I have enough character, thank you very much. However, I don't get to choose when and how my character develops. Sigh...this too will pass and when it does, I will emerge from it knowing that the Holy Spirit guides my actions and thoughts and that I can trust Him to work things out. For I know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord.

Today we spent another relaxing afternoon at the beach. We went for a walk down the beach and the princess and prince brought their buckets in search of shells and other treasures. It amazes me how differently boys and girls are wired. We have such a creative God! My little boy loves sticks and rocks of all shapes and sizes, but the bigger, the better. The minute he finds a good stick or rock he won't let go of it. There are times when he will carry the same rock around with him for days on end. He even tries to sleep with it! It's hard, it's a rock for goodness' sake. He doesn't care...it's treasure to him. He found several good rocks and a great stick on the beach today. He also enjoys rolling around in the sand until every crevice of his body is covered. I just don't understand it, but then again, I'm a girl. I understand princess things...such as "making soup" or "pies" out of sand and mud, searching for the prettiest, most perfect shell. These are the activities of my little princess, who is so particular about everything she does.

Hubby just asked if we have any cookie dough on hand. We don't, but I will remedy that very soon. Just so you know, I am a dough eater. I love the stuff and can't get enough of it. I read very funny blog this morning about a lady who ran through the house "nekked" to eat "just one more bite of dough" and almost got caught by someone knocking at her door. Here is the link if you'd like a good laugh:

http://schorefamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/next-time-i-will-get-my-robe.html

I laughed out loud because I could see this happening to me too!

Happy Saturday! I'm off to make cookie dough!

Seashells by the Seashore

One of my favorite things to do while walking on the beach is collecting seashells. I have this habit of searching through the shells to find the pretty ones that aren't battered. I think they are beautiful and have remained so in spite of the waves and the turbulence they have overcome on their journey to the shore. It's a miracle they make it in one piece. Then there are shells that are broken, some more than others, that have pieces missing. This got me to thinking about how people and life are like seashells. Why is it that some people make it through in one peice and some not? We are all tossed about just as the waves toss the seashells, yet some make it through in one piece, while others do not. I'll bet if you look hard enough, even the whole seashells have scars. Don't we all have scars from our journey toward the shore? Some of the waves are bigger and rougher, some shells get knocked around more than others, and so it goes with life.

The other thing I have realized is that all of these beautiful seashells once had living creatures in them. Something had to die before we could enjoy the beauty of the shells for ourselves. In our lives, some things must die before God can make beautiful things happen for us. This has always been hard for me as I try to second-guess what God is going to do next and how He might use this, that, or the other in my life to make some change. Sometimes I think I'm not ready to let go of my old ways. I find comfort in my old habits and knowing what my plans are. But if only I will die to self and open my heart to God's will for my life, things will turn out so much better than anything I could ever imagine. It's a concerted effort each day to say, "Not my will but yours, Lord," but I have to think that the death of my own desires creates a beautiful life for God and that makes it all worthwhile.

Be Still my Soul

Have you ever read the children's book "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?" Well that was my week last week and I found myself multiple times saying under my breath, "I think I'll move to Australia." If you are unfamiliar with the story, Alexander says that when everything that could go wrong in his kid world, did. I have spent quite a bit of time in quiet reflection and prayer this weekend, trying to regain my peace and calm and I was reminded of a few things:
1. I always say that I have given things over to God, but darned if I don't just take them right back to wallow and worry over them.
2. When I go before God and ask Him to take care of things, I don't give Him time to work them out. I want immediate results.
3. I spend a lot of time worrying about things I can't control.
4. I don't spend enough quiet time listening for God.




I have been to the beach twice in the last few days, trying to get quiet and think. It is so relaxing to sit and wiggle my toes through the sand, listening to the waves. I love that I live 10 minutes from the beach! We just pack a cooler and off we go! God has created so many beautiful things for me to enjoy and to remind me of His awesome power and attention to detail. Think of all of those tiny grains of sand. He put each one there for a purpose. Being at the beach allows me to clear my head and think...such wonderful therapy for me.

Then this morning, God spoke to me. It began in the quiet of the house as I was reading a blog about leaving things at the throne of God. The music on the page was "Be Still My Soul." As it kept playing, I began to relax and listen to the words...Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
I thought about Psalm 46 "Be still and know that I am God." God has used this verse so many times to reassure me that I don't need to spend so much time in fret and worry. If I am constantly trying to manipulate the circumstances, I'm not relying on God. I need to BE STILL. So hard for a Control Freak like me!

So with that on my mind, I went to church. Guess what we sang today..."Be Still, My Soul the Lord is on your side." Today's sermon really spoke to me, it was one of those where I felt like it was written just for me. Don't you love it when God does cool stuff like that? And I was reminded that I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. So with that, I have renewed determination to let God work things out and to stop getting in the way of it all.

At lunch today, the princess said our blessing and afterward she said, "And God, please help Mommy to have a good week this week and to not be stressed." At the very least, I owe it to her and the prince to have more faith that God is in control and to let it all go.

On a happy note, two of my favorite people celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary yesterday. I have learned a lot from these dear friends about what marriage is like. I remember when I was much younger, riding in the car with them, I was in the backseat and they were up front holding hands. My friend turned around to me and she said, "When you get married, make sure you marry your best friend." I have never forgotten that and it is exactly what I did. So Happy Anniversary to my dear friends! I love you so much and am blessed to have you in my life!