The Shack

Oh my goodness. Never have I read a book like this before. I know it's fiction, but it has struck a place that is deep in my heart. A few weeks ago I wrote about fear. To be absolutely honest, reading this book is making me face my fears. I stayed up last night after my family went to sleep, and in the quiet I read and wept - for hours. I'm supposed to stay on a schedule to read it, but there is no way - I can't put it down. I know people who have read it and said "it's strictly fiction, nothing can be gained from it" but in my case I have to disagree - because it has provoked me to go to a deeper place with the Lord. Obviously Young's words are not the infallible word of God, but it's when I put the book down and started crying out to the Lord that took me to that place.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:24

B-e-a-YOU-ti-ful!

Isn't she beautiful?

fear.

Last night we were driving to church and T-Pup and I were conversing. He said something along the lines of "Buster said..." and I said "but I didn't know Buster could talk!" (Buster is Ws grandmother's dog). My dear cutie of a son then said "Yep, he speaks doggy-spanish!". It still cracks me up!

What are your weaknesses? I could give you a summed up list of mine, but the one I am dealing with the most lately is fear. It is absolutely ridiculous. I am such a scaredy cat! Honestly, I am waking up each night somewhere between the hours of 2-4am terrified. My heart is usually pounding so loud that I think someone is walking through our house. Then I think "wait... is it my heart, or is someone walking through my house?". I do this every night... at least every night since August. It's so annoying. I've prayed and prayed that God would give me peace. I know that perfect love cast out fear. I know these things.

Last night (this morning) I got up at 4. I went to the couch and started praying. I went to the scriptures in 1 Samuel where David is fleeing from Saul, here to there. I ended up reading the story of Abigail and Nabal, which is one of my favorites... Abigail, oh to be like her... but this is why I share all of this. I've decided if I'm going to be fearful (which I'm not really comfy settling with that fact!) this is what I will do every night. Instead of settling for turning the television on, I'm going to dive into the Word. It was a precious moment with the Lord. My house was still and quiet (even my heart at this point!). I went back to sleep around 4:30 (and W was up within 5 minutes of that, ha) but the sleep I experienced from 4:30-7 was so sweet and peaceful. I was so grateful for my time with the Lord and as a mom of two small children, so thankful for a bit more rest to help get me through the day.

Also, a sweet friend of mine and I are now doing the 7x7 prayers from Bring the Rain. Yesterday was our first day, and I'm so excited to see what God does in my children's lives as well as my own. Another weakness of mine is praying for myself...too much! What better way to break out of my little box than praying for my children all throughout the day. (I've always prayed for my children, but it's been here or there, when I thought about it, etc.) The 7x7s are during different things we do in the day. I encourage you to check them out. And if you've never read Angie's story at Bring the Rain, you are in for a blessing.

giving in...

My dear friend Malerie tagged me to do this...

6 random things about me...

(1) I really want a big SUV... like an Expedition or Tahoe. They are huge, with plenty of room... without being a mini-van. I just can't picture myself in a mini-van... not that I wouldn't be grateful if someone handed me the keys to a new one - I just prefer the big gas guzzlers. Which is probably the reason my husband will never let me get one.

(2) Since our married life began (almost 5 years ago!) we've never had an ice maker in our freezer. We fill our ice trays and harvest our ice. A gal can dream, right?! :)

(3) I'm terrified of swimming in bodies of water with fish. Poor Malerie can tell you too many stories about this.

(4) I didn't like onion rings, potato salad, chicken salad or stuffed eggs until I was 20 years old. And it all happened in the same year!

(5) Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love the smells, the family time, the excitement as we learn about Jesus' birth again. It's so much fun with toddlers, too!

(6) My husband and I can finish each others sentences. He's my best friend!

***

I can't tag 6 people because I pretty much only blog stalk :)

Humor

I really don't know about you, but I find humor in the smallest things. I've come to realize that my humor is dry - and often times not funny to anyone else at all. If I find it funny though, does it really matter if someone else is laughing? I'm used to being the odd one out - so no big news there.

Anyway, there is a small story to my ramblings. Last night was the Colts and Titans game. Seriously around this state, that is equivalent to the words Super Bowl. You know Tennessee loves Peyton, and you know we love the Titans... so put two and two together = big deal. W said he wanted us to have some 'football food' and watch the game. He specifically requested rotel cheese dip, so I decided to also pick up a pizza (for the kids). All of this to say, when we were waiting at Little Ceasar's (I know it's the "cheap" pizza - but I love their cheese!) a big 'ole pimped out blazer pulls up next to us with their bass thumpin'... loud. Incredibly loud... annoyingly loud... point made? Anyway, T-Pup says "Mommy! What is that?!" and I reply "it's the car's music... it's really loud..." and before I could finish he says "But Mommy! It sounds like a monster at pizza hut playing the tuba!"

If you just read that and barely smirked, made the little "hm!" sound, or less... you are one of the many who don't understand my humor -- because I laughed for what seemed like minutes.

Poop.

T-Pup has been studying Abraham for the past few weeks in Sunday School. The first story was the one of he, Sarai, and Lot moving to Canaan. This past week was about Issac's birth. I absolutely love the curriculum they use - it is perfect for 3 year olds. Anyway, the scripture both weeks has been Genesis 12:2 - "I will bless you". He had this down pat the first time we practiced it. I got to thinking this weekend - this child can sing the theme song to Higglytown Heroes and Handy Manny - he can handle the full version of the scripture. So, this morning I started working with him on it. This is the full scripture:

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and
make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

For whatever reason, all I could get out of my son for the first 10 minutes was the following...

I will make you a great poop.

It really was funny at first - but then I tried to encourage more respect for God's word. Then I just got frustrated with his continued sillyness - just for the sake of being silly. I eventually told him he couldn't get off the couch until he said it, so 10 minutes later we conquered it. Little boys will be little boys!

I am so so so proud and grateful to say that my brother is home, safe and sound. Our trip was wonderful (short - but very full) and I'm so incredibly thankful I was able to go. Thanks to the ones of you who prayed for him while he was in Iraq. It looks like he will be on a MEU float (marine expeditionary unit / naval ship) outside of Afghanistan this summer.

Much Excitement

I cannot express my excitement in words - my little brother is coming home from Iraq next week. I am excited to be able to fly to NC to greet him when he returns. I'm a little nervous about traveling with Sam, but I plan to pack some exciting new snacks and toys to help her enjoy the ride a bit more. T-Pup is all squared away here with close friends and family - but he and W's presence will definitely be missed.

My sweet Sam is approaching 1 year old. Wow! Where has the past year gone? We had our annual youth fish fry last night at church, and I made the comment to one of the women there "it was this time last year we were gawking over how swollen my feet were!" I will plan her party as soon as we get back - but for now my attentions are on the trip next week.

T-Pup and I have been talking about Abraham each day this week. He has memorized "I will bless you Genesis 12:2". I need to be more efficient on teaching him scripture! It does bless me to hear him recite it with such pride though.

Sam is at the beginning stages of walking. W will hold her hands and walk with her across the floor; when I try, she just plops down. I don't mind leaving some things to Daddy - and I don't think he minds either :)

I think that's about it for my little update. I am also excited to have an evening with my hubby tonight. It has been a while since we've been out alone, so I'm sure we'll have a great time.