Monthly Archives: November 2012

Lifted Up ~ Greater

I’m currently taking part of something really cool- and that is an Online Bible Study. I found this from a devotional e-mail I get delivered to me through Proverbs 31. We’re currently reading through the book Greater by Pastor Steven Furtick. Its all about how God has called each of us do do greater!

Each day we get a little nugget of something to do with the book so that we can fully embrace our online community.

Today we were challenged to Lift someone up that inspires us to live greater. There is a gal in my life that encourages me every day. To slow down and smell the roses of life every once in a while, read my bible every day, and help others especially when there is a need right in front of me.

She looks at life with simplicity. While I get caught up in to-dos, and planning, she knows just how to live in the ‘now’ moment, and to take each moment and treasure it because it is a gift from God! Sometimes I brush her aside because I have so many things to do – but God has given us TODAY! Tomorrow isn’t promised yet, and often I miss things that God had in store for me TODAY. I’m learning this truth from her every day.

She also encourages me and reminds me to read the bible every day!

She shows me so often on how to be a greater giver. For example we are looking at things in our house that we can give to the local homeless shelter and while I cling tight to some of my belongings [i don’t even use anymore], and convince myself how much I need some of my things, she is overjoyed to throw in this – that, and the other thing and is a very very cheerful giver. It honestly makes me feel a little convicted – because truth be told I’ve been given so much. She loves helping people, and gets very passionate about helping the hopeless which is what she calls the homeless.

This gal is my daughter K. She is five years old, and already has an amazing heart for God and others!

I know that God is calling me to do even MORE and be greater and its a blessing that he has given me such a wise daughter…I am learning so much from her!

Ta-Ta

I hope everyone had a  super great Thanksgiving Holiday! I know that Jason & K had fun going to both of our parents house, and me – unfortunately I was stuck in bed with this cold/virus – thing… I’m still not sure if “that” was influenza, or adenovirus, or something totally different. My differential dx was adenovirus since it was paired also with pink eye, but i’m no doctor, and WebMD, a Merek Manual and a USN Corpsman background only gets you so far….

I’m very slowly beginning to feel better. I’m still weak, and stuck in my head. My eyes are still dry, and a bit hard of seeing at times, but a LOT of the redness has gone away. It looked as though I had a bad obsession with Bella on Twilight! No dum dum, obviously my iris’ weren’t red, but you get the point. At this point, i’m still congested, and have a running headache, and i’m TIRED!

Luckily I only have 20 more days of school! YES!!!! I haven’t been so excited to be done with school since I graduated with my bachelors degree! I’m super excited to be taking pause!

We have another busy week ahead… small group tomorrow with some ladies from my playgroup/church – gymnastics on Wednesday – touring a school for K to attend Kindergarten next year (oh my!), and Friday is Sam’s birthday! What to get a 13 year old boy? That’s all I know for now.

Ta-ta!

Keeping up with us!

Man I’m doing a terrific job keeping everyone updated, but maybe that’s what I should do – just blog once a month or so!

I ended my last post with the fact that our friend Lisa was living with us. She has moved now back to Arizona, so it’s just the family of three again. We’ve turned her room back into a playroom, and have added a playroom upstairs too! Our “old” upstairs living room has no furniture in it really and we NEVER go in that room, so instead of wasting it I’ve turned it into an upstairs playroom for K.
K turned 5 yesterday! Can you believe that? I remember when she was just a baby, and now she’s FIVE!!! Unfortunately she was sick, and still is sick since Saturday with a fever that goes from 101.5 up to 103.6. We switched from Tylenol to Motrin and she is really responding well to the Motrin. The motrin knocks her temp to normal, but without it – fever city. My poor girl. She is quite congested as well, and is also snot city, and snorville at night. I can’t wait for her to start feeling better! I stayed home with her yesterday. Jason today, and me back tomorrow. Hopefully she can attend school on Thursday!
Jason has been home for a while now, and I believe he will be until at least the new year. (EEK).
My other HUGE news is that after this semester I’m going to take a break from school. I realized that K is FIVE now, and after taking a peek one night at my course load I wouldn’t be done with school until 2018… K would be 10/11, and I’d miss much of her childhood. Plus I don’t have time to just hang out and watch a show with Jason at night most of the time, so I’m putting my nursing on pause for now. Maybe I’ll pick it back up again someday, and maybe I won’t. But I took a good look at my life and decided that I already have everything I want and need right here, but I’m too busy for it! So… I pause.
Other than that in a few weeks I will be toeing the line of the Fast Before the Feast 5K with my sister, my aunt & uncle (maybe a cousin or two), and MAYBE….. drumrolll…. JASON. I’m going to turn him into a runner! 🙂
Love to all!

Second Samuel

David gives me such hope in 2nd Samuel. David is a soldier – a friend, someone who is running and running from being captured from Saul, a loving father, a sinner, and humble. He constantly sings the praises of God even when he is broken down – and in fear that Saul would capture him.

Sometimes I tried to imagine myself ACTUALLY in his shoes. What if – I was a great soldier – that outshone our U.S. Government , and they wanted to capture me. Hiding in the caves of Utah, or running across the California desert – trying to escape their every move – it would be hard to put God in the forefront of my mind. Yet time and time again – David admits his sins, and focus’ on God.

Could I be a smidgen of what a great example David was?

THEN against all odds – David spares Sauls life when it looks as though he finally could put an end to the cat chase. Saul finally dies at the end of the book with a suicide as the opposition army was upon him.

Then – instead of standing up and declaring he was King – he waited – patiently for God to respond.

Do I wait patiently? – Do I follow God in this way – and listen for his direction?

1st Samuel ~ Wanting a King

Its been too easy to get caught up in politics this year. I’m not only a delegate for the 31st senate district in MN, but I also tweet a BUNCH about my political beliefs and take part in rants. But – are they always biblical… or am I following a biblical approach to politics when talking about others?
[sadly] Not always.

The people of Israel wanted a King – because other nations had a king, and they didn’t want to “just” follow God – or at leas that’s what I got out of 1st Samuel. They wanted to conform. Sometimes when venting my disdain for the [current] administration I often get caught up in the blame game, and the pointing of fingers – when really – do I know their heart?

Perhaps their heart really is good, or perhaps it is evil as was Sauls – either way- I need to put God before politics…. Sometimes if what I say is going to hurt others – then I shouldn’t say it. Or if it will lead people further away from Christ – or cause people to believe that Christ is NOT the center of my world then I need to reassess.

I need to honor God first and foremost. Not the KINGS of the world…..