A new chapter

OK, so I guess it's about time I explained where I have been, what I've been doing, and where this blog is headed. I could probably write a lengthy post about all that's been going on in my heart over the last few months, really the last year, but I'm going to keep this fairly simple. I've been in prayer for a few months now about this blog and whether or not to keep it. Right now, I've decided to scale back and will mostly be posting video of the girls and sharing little clips of what our home life is like. This blog is a convenient way to allow relatives across the states a peek at the girls growing up and what our daily life is like, and I want to continue that. When I first started this blog I was looking for a community of friends, some Christian examples and encouragement and I definitely found that. This past year of blogging has been very important to me and I can see how the Lord used this little site as an encouragement in my spiritual growth. I needed to write my thoughts out, I needed to get a grasp on who I am and who I wanted to become. Sadly, I think at times that meant that I tried to be someone I was not by mimicking another site, or copying ideas hoping that would make me into who I wanted to be. The truth, I learned, is that I should not compare myself with other women or try to make myself into a Godly woman, I should just be allowing the Lord to work in my life through obedience to Him and the study of His Word. You see, I was looking too much at the world around me, even in a Christian community, trying to conform to the standard, and forgetting to follow God's standard. I was leaning on my own understanding, and not acknowledging Him (Pr.3:5-6).

So, that's where I've been, trying to get back to basics and immerse myself in the Word. I have been reading through the bible through a site my friend Amber directed me to, one year bible online. You can read the bible through in one year chronologically. It's really been a blessing to read it this way. The old testament has been much clearer because it ties together the prophets and the kings. Our pastor mentioned a few months ago how he reads through the bible every year, and that really challenged me. He reads through the bible every year so he can shepherd his flock, shouldn't I, as a parent shepherding my children, be reading through the bible each year as well? We've also started to memorize scripture together as a family.

Each week (Monday) we pick a new bible verse and memorize it during the week. We also chose a family member every evening to pray for, and also chose a friend or relative who is unsaved and pray for them every morning.


I'm trying to become more organized (bought myself a great planner!) and also trying to make my home a haven for my family.


So, that's been taking up most of my time. When I'm not doing those things, I'm either out with the kids in the pool, sandbox, watering my garden, planning, fellowship with friends, playgroup, softball, knocking things off our summer 'to-do list', etc. Well, with all that written, I'll leave you with a song that has been a blessing to me over the last few months.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

by Helen H. Lemmel

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain