A Heart for Missions Prayer

So, I found the secret to making time go a little slower...commit to posting everyday, and with a new and fresh and amazing picture! It wasn't as easy as I thought. Thank you for sticking with me for the month. In addition to giving us something specific to pray over our children, I think the prayers also serve as a reminder of the things we need to be teaching them and living ourselves.

This exercise also served as a reminder to me how much beauty there is all around me and I've got the girls trained to look for pretty trees. I'm so thankful for God's word and for the power of prayer!

A Heart For Missions

Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3

Everything Is Yours

At the last minute, my sister and I decided to go a concert last night. It was The United Tour with Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman. New England does not get many Christian concert, so its always a special treat when one comes.

I felt old being there. I mean, these guys were top when I was a teenager and Michael W. Smith mentioned he just completed his 21st album. What was cool about the age thing though is each one had a son playing in the band. Caleb Chapman was on bass guitar and Tyler Smith was on keyboard.

They did several songs together and then each did some solos. During Chapman's performance, I alternated between a lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face. He spoke of life after May 21st.

He said he has had to go through each song and decide for himself if its something he still believes, if its something he can still sing with conviction. Steven said there are many things he does not understand about God, but the things he does know about God are more true to him today than they ever have been.

That God is sovereign, that He knows the plans for us, that He is faithful.

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper,
Father and Ruler of everything

It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God
You're the King of Kings And Lord of Lords

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
Yeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours

The glory and honor is Yours,
everything is Yours
It's all Yours, God

My life is Yours,
my heart is Yours
My hands and my feet are Yours
Every song that I sing
It's all Yours, all is Yours
All belongs to You
Our gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours

Michael W. Smith spoke of a life-changing moment many years ago when he felt God's love and acceptance so strongly that it changed his life.

God loves us, he likes us and is actually quite fond of us. And there is not a thing we can do to earn that love. It is given freely to us, though undeserved.

And each day we awake with new grace and mercy and favor.

Awesome truths!

Smith on keyboard, Chapman on guitar

Chapman on keyboard, Smtih on guitar

Gratitude Prayer

Gratitude

Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7

Whirly Twirly Wednesday

After lunch, I made myself a cup of tea. Amanda, I guess recognizing that it is a mug Shaun sometimes uses said, "Dat's Daddy's coffee!"

Playfully I said, "No, its Momma's coffee."

"Dat's Daddy's coffee!"

"No, its Momma's coffee."

"Dat's Chaun's coffee."

I busted out. She's been calling her daddy 'Chaun' off and on for the last week. I think its funny...Shaun is not amused. He much prefers 'Daddy!'

Prayerfulness Prayer

Prayerfulness

Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Ephesians 6:18

Self-discipline Prayer

Self-discipline

Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.

Proverbs 1:3

Passion for God Prayer

Passion for God

Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee', one that clings passionately to you.

Psalm 63:8

Willingness and ability to Work Prayer

Willingness and Ability to Work

Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

And it Begins...

Phase I of our roof project began at the end of this week. It been on "the list" for many years but this was the last straw...

leaking into the girls' room that was just completed in June. Its hard to see in this picture, but there is also a 30-gallon bucket in the middle of the room. Avery started asking to sleep in the guest room every time it rained...it was time.

Yes, there is a person up there...my husband. He is Mr. Safety, but I still did extra praying!

The stripping day was hard...multiple layers of shingles as well as rotting cedar shingles, making for lots of dust. When Shaun and Nathan came in for lunch they looked like the chimney sweeps in Mary Poppins.

And it left a mess for the clean-up crew.

Fortunately, I had some good help...

Actually, our friend Eric came by and donated a day and totally bailed me out!

Could. Not. have done it without all the days and hours Shaun's brother Nathan gave us. He is fairly comfortable up that high so that's where he stayed. On one of his nine hour days he came down only one time and that was to eat lunch.

Our brother-in-law Colombo came today and quickly joined Nathan at the top because he is somewhat fearless also. They worked for most of the afternoon in whipping wind, and the last hour and a half was also dark and raining.

There is so, SO much more work to be done, but today I am so thankful for good friends and family who are willing to give of their time and talents to be a blessing to our family. My heart is full of gratitude and now Avery can rest peacefully in her own room.

Hope Prayer

Hope

May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

A Servant's Heart Prayer

A Servant's Heart

God, please help my children develop servant's hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord, not men.

Ephesians 6:7

Faith Prayer

Faith

I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.

Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40

Whirly Twirly Wednesday

I never took dance, but I'm pretty sure this is not a traditional ballet move.

Practicing different pouty faces in the mirror

Admittedly not our best hair day ever

Tippy-toes

Yesterday I was on the phone for work and thought I might have heard some movement upstairs. When I was able to go check, this is what I found. She had a book, her Bear and the cordless phone tucked under her arm, sound asleep.

Contentment Prayer

Contentment

Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength.

Philipians 4:12, 13

Responsibility Prayer

Responsibility

Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.

Galatians 6:5

Engagement Photos

Last week I was given the opportunity to do a photo shoot with my brother-in-law and his fiance. Here is just a sampling of some of my favs. If you are a photographer who happens to stop by, your input would be appreciated (actually, I'll take critiquing from anyone who has an opinion...just trying to learn).

I had a great time doing the shoot and I was able to get into Photoshop for the first time for purposes other than cropping. Thank you to Nathan and Laryssa for giving me the opportunity to practice. Any other friends/family game?