Monday, October 29, 2007

COMING SOON: THE WONDER BOYS IN FULL SUPER-HERO DISGUISE!!!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Under the Wings

I have been involved in a great Bible study for the past few weeks. I am loving it and learning so much about God, His desire to know and be present with me, and His Word. It is Beth Moore's "Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place." I highly recommend it. I will be re-doing this very study in my home beginning in January. I love it so much I really want to share it with all of my friends. Anyway - if you are interested...let me know.

In one of the lessons, Beth Moore shares a story that she read. I've really been thinking about it in light of all that is going on around me. I thought I'd share it with you.

"In pioneer days, wood-burning locomotives frequently sparked fires. Wheat ripens enough to burn 10 to 15 days before it is ripe enough to cut, and sometimes the fires swept wheat fields for 10 miles. A farmer saw billows of smoke in the distance and knew his house, barn, and surrounding buildings were in danger. He set backfires and burned his own wheat fields in a circle so that when the great fire met the place he had burned, it passed around and went on. With that backfire the farmer saved his buildings but lost his crop. As he walked the burned field grieving, he saw the charred body of a hen. He tipped the hen over with the toe of his boot, and out ran a dozen little chicks. Because the mother's burned body was over them, the chicks lived. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live." - Let Me Illustrate

Oh my goodness. That sweet little mama! I was thinking about how good of a mama she was to teach her little ones that when danger came to run under her wing and there she would keep them safe. If she had not taught them that, they would have all run around looking for some safety somewhere else only to perish. She was their only refuge and that she demonstrated (more than once, I'm sure).

The safety was only under her wing. They had to run into it and be saved. They had to know of the shelter she provided and trust that she would be that very shelter. I am broken-hearted to know that some mothers are not mamas. And they did not shelter their chicks. Those very babies have grown up and are running around trying to find a safe place, a warm place. I'm so glad that there is One! It just makes it so much harder for them to understand what shelter is and that there is safety outside of themselves. These chicks can be saved, but they must run under the Wing.

So all of you Mamas and Daddies: show your babies the shadow of your wing. Gather your chicks close and demonstrate safety and shelter. In this they will understand this likeness of God. "This is what God, our Refuge does." Let them see you run under the Shadow of the Almighty. Take refuge under His Wings. And if this blog finds you out from under His Wing, please...run under and get close.

"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." Ps. 36:7

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Up counting sheep

It's 12:20am. I was in bed an hour ago. Sy woke up and needed to potty. Soon after that I noticed it was lightly raining outside. I was almost holding my breath and waiting for Sy to notice (he's not wild about thunder and lightning). At any time he would be up mentioning the light show in his room. And there it came, "Mommy - I still need to go potty." Well, that wasn't exactly what I had expected but, nonetheless, I have to get up. Of course, while he is doing his thing, he notices..."it's raining mama." We had a mini discussion on lightning and how it stays outside even though you can see the lights through the window. All slightly interesting to my half asleep child. "I think it would be a good idea to sleep with you and Daddy." I fell for it and slid him in between Ben and me.

Ten minutes later, Everett decided he was missing out. I grabbed him thinking, "we'll cuddle a bit and he'll be back asleep soon, then I will return him to his crib." Five minutes later, I can't sleep. I realize that my three boys are SOFTLY SNORING IN PERFECT UNISON! Not only that, each was basically in the same position and they were perfectly graduated from little to big. They looked as though I was in their bed! Sound asleep and mommy now wide awake. It was so funny, I had to restrain myself from laughing outloud! So, here I am, trying to wind down again and there they lie peacefully sleeping in MY bed. I think I'll go move them now. :)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

It really happened...


It's official. The Martinez family now resides in Lubbock, TX. We spent our weekend there trying to help them settle in. Their home is wonderful, 2800 sq ft of ....blessed space. We had a fabulous time. My only complaint is that the weekend went too quickly. Truly, this is the perfect house for them. I love it and will love staying in it. We worked so hard and when we began to pull away, the tears came. I know that 120 miles is no big deal but right now, it seems really far.