As the New Year approaches

 I've been thinking today about how we look forward to each New Year and make lofty plans for what we want or don’t want for 2011.  As I ponder this annual process, I think a bit more about New Years Eve of last year. Last year I could not have imagined what was in store for me in 2010. I was about 4 months pregnant (thinking I was huge- HA) planning what I thought mommy-hood would entail and gearing up for the “best year ever!”  

It seems that I have a habit of only looking ahead to all the things that I think are the best, happiest, more positive events that may come in a new year and only anticipate those New Years Eve. However, tonight as I rejoice in the ‘fresh start’ feeling you get at midnight; I also wish to acknowledge some things that hurt in addition to the positive things. For in those times I grew, I was stretched and am so very thankful. This year Lord I wish to give you everything- the things that I may be expecting and the things that may creep up and smack my in the head for you are with me ALWAYS

* Last year I would have never imagined what the rollercoaster of becoming a mother would entail. I have blogged about Noah’s birth before and won’t go there tonight (for the sake of my sanity) :0) but many do not know that even Noah making it to delivery was quite a roller coaster. In my first Dr appointment to confirm the pregnancy an ultrasound technician believed the pregnancy to be ectopic and I was told I would have to have surgery immediately to terminate the pregnancy; but the Lord protected Noah through the hands of a wonderful Dr who thought maybe another test or two should be done. Long story short- apparently cysts can look very similar to an ectopic pregnancy in the beginning stages, the tech was wrong and because the Dr took another look instead of doing the surgery we have Noah.  

Praise the Lord for His protection.

* In April, Joshua’s elderly grandmother went to rest in Heaven after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Or at least I thought she was going to rest until the funeral when it was quite clear that Ms. Doris was not likely resting in heaven but singing songs, dancing to the accordion, and most certainly cracking jokes with other angels.  You see, it wasn’t until her funeral that I was able to know who Doris was. All I had even known was the thin woman who didn’t usually remember who I was. While we were in Wisconsin for the services I had the honor or hearing story after story about how Doris lived every moment for The Lord, this was a woman who truly made every moment count. It was hard to see my husband with so much sadness in his eyes. And yet

Praise the Lord for people He puts in my life as examples to grow towards Christ likeness

*In September Joshua’s mother was diagnosed with an incurable, inoperable brain tumor, she is only 59. I have to say this one took the wind out of our lungs; it is still difficult sometimes. Jeri takes after her mother Doris (see above paragraph); she takes after Doris in the sense that Jeri loves the Lord with all her heart; with every fiber of her being and every breath she takes. Through her illness, Jeri remains focused on praising God. When others might question (and have) why something like this could happen to such a wonderful woman- She tells everyone how fortunate and blessed she is to have minimal side effects from her treatments. She talks about having more opportunities to talk to people about God when they ask her about her illness. So as we wait for healing for Jeri…

Praise the Lord for His strength and wisdom

As 2011 approaches, none of us know what is in store for our lives! There is no way to predict what’s coming. However I rest in the assurance that

Emmanuel-God is with us.

El Shaddai- All Sufficient

We are never alone-

May you celebrate the New Year covered in His Peace, no matter what comes.

Much Love

What would happen?

What would happen if we lived every second truly as if God was sitting right next to us in the car, talking arm in arm while doing our errands or getting groceries.
How close am I at behaving that way?

I'm working on reading though Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus with a rocking accountability partner. One of the chapters we just went though talked about Fiddler on the Roof and how the father, Tevye frequently pauses mid scene for a one-on-one with God. Sometimes they are comical, sometimes they are serious. But, for the most part-,he ALWAYS goes to this one-on-one with God; recognizing the true intimate closeness of the Lord in everything. I'm trying to live more in that way...but man it's tricky sometimes!
When I'm flustered or about to get angry about something I catch myself thinking, "hey God-you wanna close your eyes for a few minutes?"  HA!! (that's pretty much what I get in response from Him)
But he is here...so close.  

Ah - the comfort

Much Love

FULLY Dedicated

Our lives changed the day our son was born (obviously); but Sunday we celebrated Noah’s baby dedication. My mind has been full of thoughts this week about what that means- to dedicate my son to God. 

Is it like, dedicating a song on the radio to your middle school crush, “this shout out goes out to you…. because you romantically carried my pre-algebra book across the hall”  eh…. Not quite.  But sometimes if we are not careful a “religious tradition” can seem like that- a shout out to God; like “good work God, this kid rocks!”

Sunday was soo much more for our family and I think that is why I have been wrestling with my son’s dedication this week. For my husband and I, dedicating our son to the Lord meant we were not only dedicated to raising him to be a Godly young man and be living examples to him.  Dedication was our acknowledgment that Noah is not ours. I mean, biologically- yes he is ours and if any other earthly person tried to take him and say he was theirs… well, they could bring it.  Haha

Dedicating Noah was our acknowledgment that we surrender him to God and God’s will for Noah be done above our own will for his life. To do this and really mean it is a tough one for me.  I mean, what if Noah grows up and feels that he is called to serve in a foreign country… or a dangerous place. If Noah truly surrenders his life for the Lord- I don’t know what that will look like, and that’s scary. I guess it is a matter or trusting God, creator of the universe and all living things that just maybe- He knows what is best for Noah even more than this mommy does.

Any other mommies have a hard time with this one??

Much Love