Home Life...Catching Up

I had quite a busy 1st half of the week.

Monday was an errand running day in preparation for Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Tuesday I had a playdate in the morning, a doctor's appointment for DearDaughter2 in the afternoon, and a Bible study in the evening. No time at home...

Yesterday I had a chiropractic appointment, a Bible study scheduled, and then a luncheon at my house. Blessedly, the Bible study was cancelled due to bad weather and that gave me more time to prepare for my luncheon, like being able to shovel a walkway to my door. My lunch guests started arriving around 11:45am and my last guest left at 5pm and I was beat. No complaints about it though because it was a joy to open up my home and provide a nice warm lunch for my church family guests.

Well, I am still feeling the effects of working so hard at the beginning of the week and so I've been taking it easy this morning, especially catching up with some correspondences here online. I'm even still in my PJ's.

I do have an ultrasound scheduled for 1pm, so I guess I need to get dressed soon, along with the girls.

I'm kind of glad for this low key day and that nothing was on the schedule except for the ultrasound. I'm tired and I need a day of rest.

A Change in MyRoutine

I want to change up my routine again. For the past several months I have had a wonderful time enjoying a good morning routine:
- 5:45am - Up to make DearHubby's lunch (and breakfast - sometimes)
- 6:00am - Fold 1 load of laundry
- 6:15am - Get ready for the day (shower at night)
- 6:30am - Pray and Read
- 7:20am - Get the girls up and eat breakfast

As a result of this wonderful routine, I was able to spend quality time praying for our family and church family, reading God's Word, keep up with laundry, and had the opportunity to read several books:
- Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace
- When You Rise Up by RC Sproul, Jr.
- Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacie McDonald
- Fearlessly Feminine by Jani Ortlund
- Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

The only thing I missed was computer time and it's so difficult for me to use the computer at night when DearHubby is home because he's on it and I don't have time during the day because of keeping up with the girls. I hardly surf the net and read others' blogs, but there are some CyberFriends I truly like to keep up with because they are so encouraging and it makes me feel like I'm "in touch" with the outside world. I also enjoy journaling (or in CyberWorld it's blogging), something I haven't really had much opportunity to do for a while. And lastly, my eMail Inbox is full of correspondences that I haven't responded to yet and dropping little eNotes here and there help me communicate to others that "I care." These things give me time to rest from my work with the girls and home and from this past week, I discovered that I really need and desire some rest. Therefore, this week, I am going to see what in my daily routine I can change to give me more computer time so that I can find a little rest.

Back Home

We pulled into our driveway on Sunday morning just in time; right before a big rain storm. So, we weren't greeted home with the most wonderful weather. Then, after noon I did a Wal-Mart run because we didn't have any food in the house and was reminded of the attitudes of the people that live in OurArea. I was standing in the Self Check-Out line with 2 boxes of rice when a lady approached me and asked if she could get in front of me because she only had 1 item and there was quite a line. I held up my 2 boxes of rice and told her I only had the rice to check-out myself. So she gave me a look that said, "So are you going to let me in line or not?" I didn't move to let her in and she waved her hands at me and she said, "Go ahead..." Yes, how kind of her...

Needless to say, DearHubby and I were not very excited to be back home. After spending a week in the mid-West, the peace and friendliness of that area quickly grew on us. We will definitely miss that place.

DearDaughter2's birthday celebration at Chuck E. Cheese's was a lot of fun!!! My MotherInLaw didn't know if DearDaughter2 would enjoy the party since she was so young. Therefore, we were so happy that she was able to join in on the fun by enjoying the kiddie rides! In addition, unlike DearDaughter1, who doesn't like to get dirty, DearDaughter2 was a very brave girl and dug into her birhday cake and made a spectacular mess of herself!!! Watching DearDaughter2 enjoy herself made for great entertainment for all of us!

We didn't do much for the 4th of July. DearDaughter1 was over stimulated from the Chuck E. Cheese party and had difficulty sleeping that evening. We all didn't go to bed until past 1am and then I got up early to feed DearDaughter2. Therefore, we spent most of the holiday napping, at least I did. Later that evening, we did catch the huge fireworks display in Peoria. We left DearDaughter2 at home with my MotherInLaw and took DearDaughter1 with us. We had our own private parking spot because my FatherInLaw's job was in the middle of the viewing area and it was a gated lot. We brought popcorn and soda with us to eat while we watched the "show". DearDaughter1 was amazingly entertained by the fireworks show, but since it was way past her bedtime and since she didn't get much rest the night before, she fell asleep during the grand finale. I did take great pictures, though, and showed them to her later. (If you have a digital camera, did you know there's a FIREWORKS setting on it? If you go to the SCENERY [SCN] mode, there's several options for you to choose from and FIREWORKS is one of them. I am assuming that it sets the camera to have a slower shutter speed and maybe a bigger aperture setting.)

We spent the next day packing...

The ride home was not as rough as the ride over. We left Illinois at 3pm, during DearDaughter2's afternoon nap. We wore her down before the trip and she fell asleep right away, giving us a 2 hour nap before dinner. Then, DearDaughter2 grew accustomed to sleeping in the car and had a good night's rest after dinner. Because of her ease in sleeping on this car trip, DearDaughter1 also got herself a good night's rest. We made it home in 15 hours, which was much better than the 16 hours over, and we were traveling from a further distance.

Favorite parts of the visit:

1. We took 1 afternoon away from everybody and spent time as a family. We had lunch and dessert at Sonic and then we went to the park to let the girls play.

2. DearHubby and I were able to leave for dates on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after the girls went down for bed.

3. The peace and friendliness of the mid-West.

4. Not having to worry about house chores.

5. Getting to spend time playing with the girls and their cousins.

Least favorite part of the visit:

1. Coming home.

2. Not knowing my way around town and having to depend on DearHubby.

From Illinois

The week's halfway over...and I must say that when we leave here, I am going to miss this place.

My husband's parents live in a town near Peoria, IL. There's really nothing much to do around here, but I've enjoyed it because there is much peace. There is a corn field, soy bean field, or green bean field, almost every where you look. Today was windy and as DearHubby, the girls, and I took a drive, I was just amazed at the green "ocean" that surrounded us. The corn was literally making green waves of grain.

DearHubby's grandpa's funeral was Saturday morning. We barely made it on time as we had a rough drive over. When DearHubby and I did these trips alone, it usually took us 13 hours. DearDaughter2 is not used to sleeping in the car and had a hard time sleeping through the night on our drive and we had to make numerous stops just to comfort her. Nonetheless, we did make it to the funeral in time, but the girls were quite tired and fussy. Therefore, I kept the girls occupied during the service while giving time for DearHubby to be with his family.

DearHubby's family had a lot of time to prepare for his death and funeral so by the time we got here, they had already went through their grieving process. My Mother In Law is amazing because she has held up really well while we've been here. I have not seen a tear from her yet. What a strong lady!

Well, the nice thing about not having much to do in a little town is that all there is to do is fellowship. So, we've spent quite some time just getting together with DearHubby's childhood friends or planning get togethers with them. We've also spent alot of time with DearHubby's family and I'm glad that the girls are getting to know their cousins. Though I've complained to DearHubby, at times, that I've been bored, I'm really enjoying all the down time I've had. It makes me feel like if I lived here, even the housework wouldn't stress me out. I've had so much time that I've been doing laundry every other day, been helping a little with the house keeping, and still have had time to spend with the girls, time to spend with my nieces and nephew, and time to spend with DearHubby. Why do I feel like time just goes so slow around here? Is it because I'm just on vacation?

Yeah, I've got to even go out on dates, yes, dates, with DearHubby!

My Father In Law mentioned that Caterpillar just got a big contract and is creating more jobs. So, I mentioned it to DearHubby, since he's been wondering about what path the Lord will take his career on to next.

At this point, I wouldn't mind moving to this area. DearHubby wasn't sure about the idea, but he does like the idea of moving to a smaller town.

Well, although DearDaughter2 won't be turning 1 until July 22nd, we're having a birthday party for her with all the cousins at Chuck E Cheese tomorrow.

Not sure what we'll be duing for the 4th of July, but we do head back home on the 5th.

Just wanted to jot down some thoughts before I lose the opportunity to.

Pictures will come when we get home.

This Memorial Holiday Weekend...

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It's a good thing it's dreary and rainy outside because that will help me put my mind back to "reality" after such a good holiday weekend!

We actually didn't do anything big. We were home all weekend long and we spent the holiday working. Nonetheless, it was just nice having DearHubby home and the weather was just gorgeous!!! I also spoiled myself and my family by being more laid back on some things and so we ate more junk food than normal and I had DearDaughter1 in Pull-Ups for most of the weekend. Lastly, we made a quick run to Old Navy yesterday because I saw that they were having a 40% off sale for the weekend. I bought a CUTE bathing suit for DearDaughter1 that was over 50% off the regular price and 2 matching tops for the girls, also over 50% off the regular price. Not having to worry about what to cook or accident clean-ups and getting a good shopping run in was a HUGE vacation for me! So, getting back to reality will be a little difficult :( Therefore, I thought before I started my day, I'd get this weekend out of my system through this post...

DearHubby's major project was replacing the shot transmission on our Ford Escort ZX2. He started Friday evening in anticipation of using up the whole weekend. He finished the project after dinner on Saturday evening! Good job, DearHubby!

With this burden off his shoulders, DearHubby took us out for a nice family drive after church and we ended up eating Japanese food for lunch.

Since DearHubby finished his transmission project, we actually had a free day to spend as a family. DearHubby was open to doing something, but we both decided to avoid the crowds and stress by staying home and cleaning our 3 cars. I washed the exterior while DearHubby cleaned the interior. It was hard work, but very rewarding. It was a good excuse to be outside to enjoy the PERFECT spring weather!

The girls enjoyed a weekend in the sun too! We had a lot of bubble fun and went to the park, but the highlight of the weekend was their new rainbow splashing pool! We downsized this year and decided not to set up our "big" pool. It took a lot of maintenance for its little use. The girls seemed to enjoy this splashing pool anyway because it's not so intimidating!!!

So now that I've gotten the weekend out of my system it's time for me to plan my week and get started!!!

A No Title Post

I titled this post "A No Title Post" because I just have so many things running through my mind that my jotted down thoughts may be all over the place.

One of my Anonymous readers asked me offline if I felt guilty for saying all the things I had about DearHubby and I told her that I did not. It is still true that I do not like SickHubby, but we do praise the Lord for his illness. DearHubby got sick the first time soon after we moved into our home about 8 years ago. I jokingly told him that it was probably because he's allergic to our house. Well, it turns out that DearHubby's recent illness was caused by a common mold called Aspergillus. The mold caused an infection in his lungs which caused a build up of mucus. The built up mucus then caused DearHubby to get Pneumonia. On the right side of our lungs, we have 3 air passages. One of DearHubby's air passages was completely clogged with mucus and 2 of them were partially clogged. That explained why he was having such a difficult time breathing and got tired all the time. He had 2 Bronchoscopies done while he was in the hospital to unclog the air passages. Yet, there was so much mucus that he needs 1 or 2 more procedures to completely open up the air passages. DearHubby was sent home with a mold antibiotic and he needs a weekly blood test to make sure his liver isn't having an adverse affect to the medication as the medication is toxic to the body. He also needs to see the doctor bi-weekly with an X-ray to ensure the infection is going away. If the infection does not go away, there is a slight chance DearHubby will need surgery to remove the infected lung tissues. However, the doctor seems to think the medication will eliminate the infection, but we'll just have to wait and see.

After 1 1/2 weeks at home and a week at the hospital, DearHubby finally returned back to work yesterday with only 3 vacation days left for the year. He used up 14 vacation days with this illness because his company does not give sick leave and the only way to get fully paid while out sick is to use up vacation time. We're both a little sad about that because we have not taken a vacation since DearDaughter1's birth, 2+ years ago, and we were hoping to take one this year before getting pregnant with our third child. We'll have to be creative about taking some time away.

We are very thankful for this illness and the extensive testing that was done to find out the cause of DearHubby's illness. For years I have suggested to DearHubby that we need to get our house tested for mold. It just seemed like a huge financial burden for us that we never really pursued it. We don't think that we have a big mold problem since most of our house is newly renovated. However, our master bedroom was the last part of the old house that hadn't been renovated yet and that's where DearHubby and I have been sleeping. I am glad that DearHubby finally has a reason to look into this mold issue and do something about it. We are now in the middle of a decision making process about what we should do. Currently, we are camping out in the living room until we come to a decision.

One thing we have been doing a lot is praying...

These past several weeks have been really hard on me. There was the anxiety over DearHubby's sickness, especially when we didn't know what it was. There was the anxiety over how to get to the hospital to visit DearHubby because of the lack of nearby family to use as childcare. In addition to being concerned over DearHubby's illness, I attempted to keep things as normal as I could for the girls by taking them to playdates, the park, Chuck E. Cheese, and the zoo while still trying to keep up with the housework. Then, my in-laws did come for a short visit over the Easter weekend and though they didn't expect me to go out of my way to be hospitable, I had to be somewhat hospitable.

This week, everything is just finally catching up to us all. DearDaughter1 is still struggling with her cold that she's had for over a week. This morning she threw up and had a low grade fever. I'm still struggling with this cold that I caught from DearDaughter1 and my mouth hurts a little because I got a wisdom tooth pulled out on Tuesday. Lastly, DearDaughter2 caught our cold too and she's been having trouble sleeping at night again. We went to the zoo yesterday and the DearFriend we went out with would probably say that we seemed fine, but in reality I am sooooooo tired and the girls are too! Both girls have been really cranky and usually I lose my patience easily by that sort of behavior, but today and even tomorrow, I am going to do the bare minimum of housework and just give my girls the tender loving care that they need!

Then, I feel sad for DearHubby because he's not even over with this bout of Pnuemonia and he thinks he's also caught our cold. Poor hubby...When will HE get break?

Well, we do thank God for His faithful watchcare over us because it was only by His strength that we have all been able to persevere through this time!

Thanksgiving 2007

1. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to fly to Texas in February for DearHubby's knee surgery. His knees have recovered and have been strong for him.

2. Thank you, Lord, for the lessons you've taught us through difficult situations and for using our sins to bring us to our knees so that we can depend on your strength over our own. (i.e. the trip to Texas and DearHubby's recovery)

3. Thank you, Lord, for your strength in getting me through a painful pregnancy and giving us a beautiful and lovely daughter.

4. Thank you, Lord, for sufficiently providing for our financial needs and for giving us the opportunity to renovate our home.

5. Thank you, Lord, for placing in our lives brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who genuinely care for and love us.

6. Thank you, Lord, for technology and the opportunity it provides to send words of greetings, encouragement, and love to those afar.

7. Thank you, Lord, for digital cameras that help us capture precious moments to share with others for years and years to come.

8. Thank you, Lord, for our children. They are such precious treasures and our love for them is indescribably BIG for them!

9. Thank you, Lord, for abundantly providing for our material needs. We have an overflow of children's clothing and can even share with others in need.

10. Thank you, Lord, for enlightening Christian authors who share their "revelations" and help keep other brothers and sisters encouraged by your Word.

11. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to minister to others through formal and informal ways and using us to give help, encouragement, and love in your name.

12. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a husband who loves you and desires to live by your Word and to train our children up knowing you.

13. Thank you, Lord, for your inexplicable mercy that saves us from eternal doom and thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace that gives us eternal life. We have a hope that is eternal.

14. Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing your life to save ours.

15. Thank you, Lord, for your blood that washes us clean.

16. Thank you, Lord, for your wide and deep love for us that you would make us your children despite our sins.

17. Thank you, Lord, for your rod that helps us learn what is not pleasing to you and helps turn us towards your righteousness.

18. Thank you, Lord, for giving us your Word to help instruct and encourage us in this discouraging, depraved, and darkened world.

19. Thank you, Lord, for always revealing your sovereignty to us in nature by the changes in season and uncontrollable acts of nature like storms and floods and droughts and sunshine and rain. You are God and nature proves it.

20. Thank you, Lord, that we can call you Father and run to your arms to find comfort and strength.

21. Thank you, Lord, for your abundant blessings that I can sit here all day and give you Thanksgiving. We are grateful that you are our God and we THANK YOU, we THANK YOU, we THANK YOU!!!

It's Dessert Time

Having people over your home just fills it up with so much cheer!!!

I used to think that I needed to always serve a meal to invite company over. Well, that's not necessarily true. We had leftovers last night and I wasn't in the mood for cooking a whole new meal, but DearHubby and I really wanted to open our home up to some friends for some time of fellowship. I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon and gave our friends a call to invite them over for dessert and coffee after dinner.

Dessert worked out so well and that was just the icing on the cake! The true dessert was enjoying our brother and sister in Christ!!!

Our God Reigns

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Verse of the Day:

How beautiful on the mountains
.....are the feet of those who bring good news,
.....who proclaim peace,
.....who bring good tidings,
.....who proclaim salvation,
.....who say to Zion,
....."Your God reigns!"

-Isaiah 52:7-

This morning's sunrise was just majestic and I went out to take pictures as DearHubby left this morning. Well, as I stood out there, I thought how God truly has a great sense of humor and a way of giving us peace.

I was a bit frustrated this morning because I woke up with a lot of gunk on my right eye, it's burning, and all pink. I still have a lingering cough and some congestion from my upper respitory infection (yeah, from 2 or 3 weeks ago) and now it's my eye. So, this morning, I was a little slower at preparing DearHubby's breakfast and lunch because I was just frustrated by my body during this pregancy; how it's been one thing after another and the list just doesn't end.

Well, DearHubby was all set to go and I wasn't done with his lunch or breakfast and so I snapped at him. I told him about my frustration and so he told me it would be ok, but I was still so frustrated. As DearHubby was warming up the car, I waited at the window and saw the sunrise and was just taken by its beauty. Immediately, my anxious heart was calmed and a peace came over me and I went out to snap that wondrous beauty! I say God has a great sense of humor because of all the colors he chose to make the sky this morning, he chose PINK, the color of my eye. As if He was reminding me that even this eye situation is ordained by Him and that I need to trust Him because He reigns!!!

Entering the Rest of God

Notes from Women's Retreat. The speaker was Paula Harris, the director of Transformed Worldwide Ministries.

ENTERING THE REST OF GOD

Hebrews, Chapters 3 & 4

What is the Rest of God?
- the promised land of Canaan, a place of deliverance
.....- Psalm 95, Deut. 12:8-12, Heb. 4:5,9
- Seventh day of creation/weekly Sabbath, a rest of satisfaction & completion
.....- Heb. 4:3-4, Gen. 2:2
- Spiritual Sabbath [rest] of the Soul, an inner peace that results from abiding in Christ
.....- Peace with God, Peace of God, Eternal Peace (the ultimate rest)

What is the Main Requirement for Entering His Rest?
FAITH in God and REST from our own work - Heb. 4:3 & 10
.....Release
.....Every
.....Situation
.....To God

Refrain from having a sinful, unbelieving heart:
- by hearing the message and not combining it with faith
.....- Heb. 4:2, Mark 4:40, Rom 10:17, Jer 32:27, Eph 3:20, 1 Pet. 5:7, Isa. 41:10, Psalm 37:7, .....Matt. 11:28, 30
- by disobedience
.....- Heb 4:6, 11
- by having a hardened heart that is insensitive to the word and work of God, that is rebellious and seeks its own will
.....- "The heart of every problem is the heart."
.....- Heb. 4:7
- by refusing to rest from our own work, not relying on God's power and complete work
.....- Heb 4:10
.....Be
.....Under
.....Satan's
.....Yoke

Examples of women in the Bible who did not enter God's rest:
- Eve - Gen. 3
- Martha - Luke 10:38
- Lot's wife - Gen. 19:26

Examples of women in the Bible who did enter God's rest:
- Abigail - 1 Sam. 25
- Mary - Luke 1
- Noah's wife - Gen. 6

Rest in Our Routine - Rom. 14:7, Matt. 6:33-34
"Learn to live one day at a time. God will faithfully give you a sufficient amount of grace to deal with the trouble of each day. Avoid borrowing trouble from tomorrow or carrying trouble over from previous days."

Stress Busters: (practical ways to find rest)
- Family calendar
- Photograph memories and declutter
- Sing, laugh, listen to music
- Exercise 3x/week
- Lysine - remedy for cold sores
- B-12/B vitamins for energy
- Dark chocolate
- Weigh everything, then make the best decision, and don't beat yourself up afterwards about the decision
- Know and listen to your body
- Allow extra time to get things done
- SLOW down
- Running list on refrigerator of things to buy at the store, if an item is used, then immediately write it on the list
- Schedule personal time and don't feel guilty
- Get rid of clothes not worn after 1 year
- Have a back-up plan for emergencies
- Remove clothes immediately from dryer
- Remember to scheudle "ANNUALS"
- Sort mail immediately:
.....Toss - throw away immediately
.....Refer - someone else can deal with it
.....Act - need a response
.....File - needed in the future
---tips from the group---
- Lengerie bag for every family member's undies
- You do not have to have the last word

Responding to Christ's Invitation of Rest
Why do you do what you do? Why do you feel so obligated to commit to so much?
- fear of being rejected - Prov. 29:25
- fear of not measuring up - Col. 2:10
- fear of life passing you by - 2 Cor. 10:12
- fear of lack or not having enough - Phil. 4:19
- fear of being replaced by someone - 2 Tim. 1:7
- fear of being like one or both parents - Psalm 56:22
- feeling guilty or unworthy if not busy - Jer. 32:27, Eph. 3:20

Matthew 11:28-30
You are invited to COME, TAKE, and LEARN...
- Come unto me (those who are weary, burdened, and heavy laden) - Matt 11:28
- Take my yoke - Matt. 11:29
- Learn from me, learn to be just like Jesus - Matt. 11:29
- You SHALL FIND REST of your inner being...an invitation to enter his rest - Matt. 11:29
.....- Heb. 11:1, 6

Shower Time

Aside from working hard in the morning to get all my chores done before noon so that I can have some rest time in the afternoon, another activity I really look forward to is my shower time. For a long time, there were days when I went without a shower just because I didn't have time. To me it just seemed like another task to get done in the day and it was really a burden to shower.

My outlook to shower time has now changed. One day I realized that shower time is the only time that I really have to be alone. I still have DearDaughter in the same room as me, but she is normally in her exersaucer or playpen enjoying her time of play and so shower time has become a place of retreat for me. It's just so nice that at least for 30 minutes I can stand under a nice warm shower, almost like getting a body massage, and have that 30 minutes completely for time alone.

Shower time has become a place of rest for me and my mind and body is restored with a shower and I am ready to press on again until the end of the day.

Rest, My Motivation to Work Hard

Well, yesterday turned out to be quite a challenging day. DearDaughter's cough got worse and so I made a doctor's appointment for her in the morning. I only had about an hour before the doctor's appointment, so I didn't have the time to get any chores done. I decided to use that one hour to take a shower because I knew if I didn't shower then, I wouldn't shower any other time during the day. So, the morning was shot and DearDaughter and I got home around12:30ish, in time for lunch. Well, by the time we got done eating lunch, it was time for DearDaughter's nap and I just rested while she napped. All the errand running in the morning gave me such a great back ache and so I literally did nothing the rest of the day. In addition, I was also starting to catch the cold that DearHubby and DearDaughter had and I really didn't feel well, not even to cook dinner. I sent DearHubby an e-mail message to ask him to pick up some KFC on the way home from his doctor's appointment.

Today has turned out to be another different day. DearDaughter and I had plans to go to Trader Joe's and the Thrift Store with a friend, but DearDaughter had a rough night and I think so did I. So, I contacted my DearFriend and told her that DearDaughter and I are sick. I didn't feel motivated to do anything today, but I decided that since I was going to be home all day, that I should at least get my chores done. Just like the other day, I aimed to have all my chores done by 12:00pm. Unfortunately, since I didn't get my chores done yesterday, I had a little more work to do so my chores didn't get done until 1pm. Oh well, I was still quite motivated to finish my chores. In the back of my mind I wanted to go to the mall to get another Cinnabon and so for some time my motivation was going out to get that Cinnabon. However, as time just quickly flew by, I realized that I will not have the opportunity to go to the mall, but I was still motivated to finish my chores. I was just looking forward to the time of rest that I could have when everything was done and DearDaughter goes down for her nap.

Yes, this is the time...

Anyway, DearDaughter and I had the opportunity to enjoy the snow we had from last night before her nap. Now, I get to enjoy updating my blog and then picking up one of the 3 books I'm reading. Rest is so nice!

One thing I have to note is that I also feel like progress is being made on my organizational project and laundry room clean-up. Though things are going really slow, I am making time for it while DearDaughter is still asleep from the night to fine sort and organize my paperwork. Having rest as a motivational tool is really helping me work harder and I feel like I'm getting more done in the day!

Chores Done by Noon and a Shower

Today is starting off much in contrast to yesterday. Yesterday ran like clock-work, probably the most productive day I've ever had and everything just worked out perfectly! I was done with all my chores by noon and a roast in the slow cooker by 9am. When I was done with my chores I took a shower and the rest of the afternoon was mine! I was able to finish my meal preparation that I delivered to a family last night. DearDaughter and I were able to spend some quality time together, enjoying some good play time and a stroll outside. We even had time to drop off my Mom's' Coffee Break invitations at the post office, pick up my prenatal vitamins, and shop at Wal-Mart! To top it off, I was at Wal-Mart as they were setting up their clearance rack and I was able to get a nice summer top, a cute pair of tweed pants, and an Eagle's sweater all for $7. I saved 84% off the regular price!!! In addition, since we were just having leftover tacos, I didn't have to cook when DearDaughter and I got home and I was able to give DearHusband some time to rest because he was feeling sick.

By the end of the day, I was convinced that on a daily basis I will attempt to get all my chores done by noon and a shower so that the afternoon hours will be free to give me the opportunity to find rest (like spending more time with DearDaughter without feeling guilty that the house work isn't done, or working on DearDaughter's scrapbook, or just taking a nap).

Well, as I stated in the beginning of this post, today is starting in contrast to yesterday. DearHubby was feeling sick this morning and decided to sleep in an hour later. Well, yesterday, I depended on that 1 1/2 hour time before DearDaughter got up to get some chores done. Since DearHubby slept in, so did I and I lost that 1 1/2 hour time. Then, DearDaughter caught a cold a couple days ago, but today the symptoms are much worse, making her a less pleasant baby, and already she has been yelling her lungs out every 5 - 10 minutes or so. I already have a huge headache, and my "woe is me" list just goes on and on...As a result, I already had a bad attitude about today and I was hating life. I was also quite edgy this morning and as I was talking on the phone with DearHubby to ask him a favor, he kept interrupting me and I got impatient and yelled at him...Anyway, when I am feeling like this and everything is going wrong, my day usually turns out BAD. Then, right before I began this post, I glanced down at my memory verse of the week which reminded me that my day doesn't have to turn out BAD. Instead of allowing all these unpleasant situations make me unhappy and frustrated, I should endure in doing what is pleasing to God so that I can shine His glory, even to my family...:

Philippians 2:14, 15 (NIV)
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...

As I read this verse, I was convicted of my wrong attitude about today, and I pray that the Lord will give me enduring faith, one that will persevere in faultless behavior that is pleasing to Him even when things aren't going the way I'd like them to go and to keep on in what I need to do but if nothing I need to do gets done, then to realize that it's still ok, especially if I do what is pleasing to Him. That is how to trust in God and to find true rest in Him.

January 23, 2007

Last week I had a group of ladies over for a small lunch. Right after lunch, but in the middle of our fellowship time, one of the ladies got an urgent phone call from the young 22 year old mother she has taken in and had to leave. We all felt very sad for this DearFriend because that was her time to cast her burdens on us so that we could help her carry them in prayer and she wasn't able to do that.

Well, I felt such a burden for her and all of us moms who just need a time and place for escape sometimes that I decided to open up my home once a week for 2 hours for 6 of us ladies to just gather and chat over a cup of coffee. My hope in this is that we are able to encourage one another in the Lord and ultimately pray for one another to help carry one another's burdens.

Since I don't know how the Lord will lead this endeavor, I have decided to take it month by month. My first Coffee Break will be on February 1st.

Finding Rest

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:27-29, NIV)

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:2,3, NIV)

12 "Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed..." (Exodus 23:12, NIV)

2It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (Psalm 127:2, The Message)

Just a few days ago I was struggling with my lot as a stay at home mommy. I expressed to a friend in a note that being a mommy isn't always fulfilling or joyful. Yet, at the end of this note I realized how selfish I was being and really how thankful I should be for having the opportuntiy and privilege to stay home and raise our DearDaughter for the Lord.

Well, I was becoming dissatisfied with our mundane routine and each day just seemed to run into the next as if it were all the same day. Along with the unpleasant challenges that DearDaughter brought every day, I no longer found motivation to be a mommy and I really started to dislike it. I wanted mommy-hood to just all go away!

This friend whom I wrote this note to called me and listened to my struggle. By this friend's stories of her own experiences, I realized that there was something missing in my life, REST.

When I was in college there was ONE day I looked forward to, Sunday, the Lord's Day, a day of rest. Sunday was the day that motivated me to work hard all week so that I can do absolutely nothing but REST on that day. My soul found rest in God as we worshipped and praised Him at church and my mind and body found rest while I napped in between the worship services. I began my week in REST and I was ready to labor hard once Monday came.

This practice of resting followed me after college into my marriage, but it stopped when DearDaughter came along. I couldn't stop taking care of DearDaughter on Sundays and so my Sunday schedule looks exactly like my Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday....schedule, which is why each day seems to run into the next. As I listened to my DearFriend's stories and how she made time to REST, I realized that it was REST that I was missing.

Thus, I went back to God's Word to see what He says about rest.

First, rest is a BLESSING of faith. When we trust in the Lord and His good purpose for all the saints, when we trust in His unfailing love, when we trust in his all conquering power and might, and when we trust Him to carry our burdens and our cares for us, He promises REST for our souls. (Matthew 11:27-29) - Exemplifies finding rest for our souls, carry the Lord's yoke, which is easy and light.

Second, rest is CREATED by God and for God. On the 7th day God rested from His labor of creating and made it holy. (Genesis 2:2,3) - Exemplifies how we should rest, make it holy.

Third, rest is a COMMAND. We are commanded to rest so that we may be refreshed. (Exodus 23:12) - Exemplifies finding rest for our bodies, stop working.

Lastly, rest is a PROMISE. God enjoys giving rest to those He loves, to those who seek Him and His will. (Psalm 127:2) - Exemplifies finding rest for our minds, not worry.

There may be more verses about rest and as I study God's Word even more, I know I will be comforted in knowing that REST IS GOOD and that I should endeavor to find rest for my soul, my body, and my mind, all in the Lord and for the Lord.