Birthdays & memories

This week Tommy turns 11 and Kayla turns 14. I feel like singing "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. I have always most desired for my kids to be like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. Whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:3) and "growing strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God on them...in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:40). So, why is it so bittersweet? I was a much better Grade school teacher than Jr. High & High school...buying presents & giving parties were a lot easier several years ago...we were way less busy...they played TOGETHER for hours...etc. Sweet times. These are blessed years also. One thing I appreciate about parenting is that it doesn't get easier just different and God is right with me the whole way. I know that my heavenly Father's job parenting me doesn't get easier just different as I grow in wisdom & character.

So, things to be thankful for:

2 children who love the Lord and are getting to know Him very personally through His Word.

Grateful and loving children who still give snuggles and kisses and "love you" every night...our kids tuck US in :P

Their wonderful friends who BTW are being raised by really great parents (yes, you)

The laughter and fun we have together as a family & the fact that we all love games.

Having a daughter to share "blond moments" with...

Playing "whose the piggy?" at dinner and having to tell the kids every night "don't do what Daddy does...it's not safe" ;)

The privilege of watching these two grow up...JOY OF MY LIFE.

I am full of such gratitude to God for allowing an unworthy wretch like me to come to know Him and persevering to bring me around to obedience so that my kiddos will know THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE.

Happy Birthday Babies! Love, Mom

Do I have to like my theme?

Do you have a theme for the year? I've been asked that several times. I had no problem identifying last year's theme: "who I am and who God is". Its always easier to look back and see a pattern. But now I am being asked to look forward to what God is going to teach me. That is a bit harder. I just finished commenting to Kim that God hadn't really revealed a theme to me yet which is a big fat lie. He has revealed 2! Both come directly out of this year's study of the life of Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy) One I am excited about and can get behind: "God, show me Your glory!" Remember I was going to be audacious and bold like Moses. God is doing His part....or was all along and now I am just paying attention!?! The second one comes out of Leviticus. I have lost count of the number of times God says to "be HOLY because I am HOLY". I would really like to think that this is one of those instances where He is only talking to the Israelites, but I don't think I can be that self-deceptive and get away with it. I'm not liking that one as much....that is going to take a lot of hard work. (yes, that is me whining you hear....really unpleasant isn't it...) Here's a show stopper question from my Bible Study Fellowship lesson I was working on this morning: Is there an area of your life that has not been consecrated to the Lord? If so, what will you do about it? When I finally get "real" enough with myself to write an honest answer to that one I will post again. :0)