I have a confession....

I have a confession to make.

I eaves-dropped on my husband.... for over 1/2 hour.

I called him to see what time he would be home, and he accidentally answered his phone in his pocket. He had good reason. From what I gathered, he was in the middle of troubleshooting a machine that was pretty important to the owner, and fixing it was vital. 

I couldn't hang up.

I had to hear this interaction.

I wanted to see what he was like at work.

Here are my conclusions:

1. Eaves-dropping on your husband is border-line creepy.
2. My husband works his butt off.
3. His job is both physical and mental.
4. He has integrity no matter where he is at, who he is with or what he is doing.
5. He is brilliant.... seriously, brilliant.... and listening to the way people rely on him to have all the answers is remarkable... hearing him come up with them is even more impressive.
6.  I am a proud wife.

"I'm not afraid because...."

The Halloween season can be so confusing for the kids.

 Last night we had a long talk about why we don't have to be afraid.

I could tell they were getting it.

We talked about the God who made the wood so that door could creek like that in the 1st place.

Big God talks.

I read Isaac's journal entry from class today.

Now I know he got it.

Psalm 73:28

We were commissioned as a staff to take a day to unplug and spend with God.

Just a Bible and a journal... out in God's amazing canvas.

It was sobering.

It was beautiful.

It was vulnerable.

It's something I need to do more often.
It's amazing how much God speaks when we are quiet enough to listen.

Zoey's Field Trip: Blakes Cider Mill and Apple Orchard

into the brilliance...

We read an incredible article this week as a staff entitled "Into The Brilliance" by Timothy Willard. You can find it in Volume 8 of The Making of a Leader series by Catalyst.

 

In the meantime, enjoy some of the parts that stopped me in my tracks this week. There were so many parts I wanted to share, but for the sake of time, I've stuck to the few that hit me hardest. I'm still amazed by the fact that our God takes every opportunity to speak to those things in our lives that are hidden... the things that no one sees. Well played, God, well played.

 

Into The Brilliance

by Timothy Willard

 

To you, eager traveler- the one with the sunlight in your eye and a dream on your shoulder- when you head out on your journey don't get caught up with trying to catch those who've already left the safety of the friendly vale. Don't copy them. You are not a mime. You are a frontiersman.

 

You know your calling. You hear it when you wake up. You've walked in its echo since you can remember climbing trees as a child. The calling never changes; it is God's purpose for you. And that purpose grows as you grow. The bigger it grows, the stronger its pull. You task is not to discover your calling; it is not to unearth your intended purpose. If you don't already have that in your dream-sack draped over your shoulder, then you have been miming your entire life. And you are already lost.

 

"In many cases," writer philosopher Dallas Willard, "our need to wonder about or be told what God wants in a certain situation is nothing short of a clear indication of how little we are engaged in His work." If you're not tuned in to God's work, but are more bent on your own ambition, then it's time to set a new bearing.

 

What could be most mystical than the invitation to follow a failure into death? "If you want to follow Me," Jesus said, "then pick up your cross." This calling is what makes you a frontiersman. And, the great irony of this "land unknown" is that to live in it allows you to be fully known. In this land you can be at ease. This land allows you to hear the voice of God and to fall in love with it. In this land God's voice becomes your desire.

 

God is calling us to Himself, daily. As leaders we have the option to sleep in and let the sun rise unnoticed. Or, we can unzip our tent and head out into the gleam.... into God and all His glory.

an even dozen.

Married 12 years, together for 20.

He still gives me butterflies.

Happy Anniversary to the man who knows me better than I know myself.

No amount of words on my blog would do you justice.

xoxoxox

Opening Day

Today was Opening Day for Mites 2013/2014 hockey season.

The Canadiens beat the Bruins 4-1 and Isaac had the final goal!

GO CANADIENS!

 

Today.

Today.

As it progressed I found myself feeling more and more sorry for myself.

I had a whole house to clean for LifeGroup.

I had a dinner to make for 25 people.

I had just completed my 22nd load of laundry this week and still had 6 to go. (This may sound like an exaggeration to make my point funnier, but it's oh so true. I haven't been able to keep up remotely since I started to work on the day I usually attempt this feat)

We are having our Fall Youth Retreat this weekend, and there are a million things to do. (Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration to make you laugh)

I'm still not feeling well.

I am EXHAUSTED.

#3 wants to potty train... which in turn, makes #4 want to as well... it's a mess.

My parents and sister are out of the country doing amazing things.

My other sister has been extremely sick and is having a hard time carrying on a decent conversation.

etc, etc, etc.

Today.

I knew I needed to change my outlook.

I've been challenged this week in the area of gratitude.

The reality is that I have a community of people that come to my house every week and build me up... they challenge me... they accept me, crazy house and all... they keep me on track.... and having dinner together is one of the highlights of my week.

I have massive amounts of clothing for my children and have hardly purchased any of them. Hand-me-downs have been a lifesaver and I am so indebted to the people who have outfitted my children since their birth.

I have the amazing opportunity to go away for a weekend and have a blast with teenagers... my husband will be loving on our kids and supporting me in all ways possible. 

Part of my family is on the mission field loving on kids who need it most and my sister who isn't feeling well, still came to church last night and watched my kids so I could be in the prayer meeting.

I'm still not feeling well.. and utterly exhuasted

BUT
I am so grateful.

For life. For hope. For Today.

Family Fun Day: Detroit Red Wings

We've been hyping this surprise for awhile.... the kids knew something exciting was coming, but they had no clue. Guesses included going out for ice cream, going to Red Robin and going for a walk. They finally figured it out when they saw everyone wearing Red Wing jerseys and walking into The Joe. We had such a fun night!

 

happy birthday lijee

Happy 3rd Birthday, our sweet Elijah!

Lij, how can you possibly be 3 years old already? You bring so much joy to our home and you are always the 1st person to give me a hug and make sure I am alright. You love being home and being with your family more than anything else, and it really disturbs you when one of us is missing. You love to play hockey in the backyard with your brothers, your alias is spiderman and you give the best kisses. Your laugh makes me laugh and I love the way you want to know "why" everything is done the way it is. You love playing with your Lego sets, watching Wild Kratts, and most of all rolling around on the ground with Jakey. You keep us grounded, little man, and it always brings a smile to our face that you love being in our family more than anyone. You are our gatherer. You are full of compassion, even at a young age. You love without measure.

he's alive!

She found this worm in the pool and when she figured out he was still alive she swam with him for an hour. Oh Zoey, you fit right in with your crazy brothers.

and in all things... session 47

Things I am thankful for on September 17th, 2013:

1. Psalm 1:1-3 (this is the current chapter we are memorizing at home, so it's on my mind)
2. Smarty Pants by Origins (anything by Origins, actually)
3. Baby rescue by family members for a mama who isn't feeling well
4. Cool weather... anything under 70 degrees is my comfort
5. God's definition of beauty
6. God's definition of success
7. Baby kisses... and big kid kisses
8. Fall scents, colors and sounds
9. Easy soup recipes that make everyone smile
10. Fresh motivation for new endeavors

I Spiderman.

There is just something about a superhero mask that enables you to do superhero things!

that friend.

You know the friend.

The one who has seen you at your worst.

The one who reminds you of your worth.

The one who laughs at the same things you do.

The one who knows your looks, your sighs and your heart.

The one who knows what the tears are for.

The one who has seen parts of your heart no one else has.

The one who loves you unconditionally... and then loves you some more.

The one who has arms strong enough to hold you when the going gets tough.

The one who made all the inside jokes.

The one who knows the kind of macaroons you prefer.

The one who knows how you take your coffee... and how that's changed over the years.

Yeah... that friend.

Well, she's having a baby.

His name is Noah Grey.

I couldn't be more excited.

my very trendy letter to my daughter...

Dear Zoey....
I have been reading a lot of letters to young girls lately. They are everywhere.... pinterest, facebook, blogs, etc... and it started my heart and brain on a journey to decide what I would want to say to you. Don't get me wrong, a lot of these letters are inspiring and very forthcoming, but what I have to say to you was birthed 20 years ago when I was a "Christian" teenager. I knew early on that I was set apart. I guess that's just a fancy way to say that you aren't going to be able to do things the way others do them. I was always ok with that. I never had a problem standing out. The problem creeped in when people started to explain to me why I needed to stand out. It started to become very confusing. I am so grateful that my parents stepped in and made things very clear... and I hope to do that for you, as well.

Here is the one thing I want you to know: You exist to give glory to God. Everything you do, say and choose should be birthed from that knowledge.

Please don't dress modestly to "not turn guys on" or to be "the kind of lady a good guy would want to marry." Dress modestly because you desire to honor God. You see, I dressed modestly and still had guys say perverted things to me. I had to learn early on that choosing to do things God's way doesn't automatically launch you into a world where you will be treated the way God intended. I want you to understand that you were created to bring God fame, whether people respect that or not. Your decision to be a disciple of Christ shouldn't take others into effect at all, only the call of a God who is unwavering, unchanging and unfailing.

Please don't choose to do the right thing because people are upset that Miley Cyrus chose the wrong thing, or because choosing the right thing will "bring the right guy." Do what is right because you want to become more like Jesus... to change the world, to shine your light, to see the power of God displayed before your eyes in a way you never thought imaginable. Please be less concerned about what a guy is looking for in a mate and more concerned about what Christ is looking for in His bride.

And lastly, and most importantly, please don't allow the idea of being a "Christian girl" take your attention away from knowing Christ. The story is about him... never about us. You were created for a specific reason, with amazing gifts and talents, and the ability to love the lonely, the hurting and the confused...whose sole purpose is to be Jesus to a generation who don't know Him. The world doesn't need another nice girl who wears skirts to her knee... they need a young woman of God who is unashamed to be synced with Jesus Christ in everything she does and with a voice of surrender to the One who created her in the 1st place.

Oh, and just for the record... that amazing girl will most likely be wearing skirts to her knee.
XOXOX
- Your Mom-

1st day of school 2013

Isaac is going into 2nd grade.

Zoey is starting her elementary career by entering Kindergarten.

My heart is full and heavy.

The scripture I prayed over the kids last night...

and all the little ones I love that are heading back to school:
 

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Zoey and Elijah's pARTy.

We had a wonderful day celebrating Zoey's 5th birthday and Elijah's 3rd birthday with an art party. Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the chaos to love on our kids! They had so much fun and are going nuts over all their wonderful presents.

***Special thanks to everyone who helped me out.... and to Nina for always making the cakes for the kids... you are a lifesaver!***