I have decided....

Remember that old song? "I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus....."

I remember singing that as a little girl when my dad would take me to First Baptist Church in Houston. My parents divorced at an early age and on his weekends that's where we'd go. So, not many songs stick out...apparently that was a catchy one. The song didn't really mean that much to me then and although it seems so old now, it's just one of those songs that will always stick with you.

Simple. Truth.

I've been challenged in that area lately. The obedience? The decision and the following. Not just the decision to follow...but actually doing it.

(Harder) Simple. Truth.

Deciding to follow Jesus....

In my finances.

In my attitude.

In my love for others.

In my un-forgiveness.

In my fears.

In my parenting.

In my MARRIAGE.

In my calling.

In my gifts.

In my self-centerdness.

In my "freak-outs".

Listen. Decide. Follow.

Simple. Truth.

Matthew 18:2-3

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

My List

My list for my house never ends. However, I am determined to make these things happen....

1. Red front door. Everyone is doing it. I need to get with the picture.

2. Landscaping. I've got the green grass in the front so far...yay!!!

3. White kitchen cabinets. My dream. I KNOW I can make this happen. Also, I adore the "Yummy" sign and especially love the baskets and open cabinet space. Love, love, love this kitchen.

4. Paint my coffee table black. Jenn said she will help me. I'm not afraid to remind her. ;)

5. Paint Jackson's room. I already have the paint. Yes, I know...

6. New light fixtures in bathroom and add molding to mirror for an instant improvement

There are more, but I realize that in the grand scheme of things this 'stuff' doesn't really matter. We have a wonderful home that our kids love to play in and have the blessing to grow up in. If none of this ever happened, I wouldn't care. We are blessed and thank God every day.

I still want that red front door though. ;-)

Obedience

While we were in Dallas Jason and I had a week to spend together pretty much 24/7 and really were able to talk and focus on some things that we don't always get to talk about. I had been feeling led to pray about some things and was really sensing some things on my heart. It seemed like a great week to get these things out in the open. It's just like God that He was laying the same things on Jason's heart. The words that I keep hearing from the Lord have been "Discipline" and "Boldness". At the beginning of this year it was "Focus". It still is in some ways, but I know that because of that focus I have been able to see and hear what the Lord wants from me. Now I know. I must be bold and discipline my flesh. It's not an easy thing to do for me. I react out of fear most times and give in to the things that aren't great for me or push aside the things that are. So, after spending some time (and still am) denying the flesh, I heard from God. We both did.

Jason and I have decided to sale our Ford Focus. We bought a used Expedition before Madi came along after both feeling that we needed more room for our family. Our Focus would not fit 3 car seats. So, we found a great deal on it from a friend at church and bought it, but we now had 2 cars. It did seem like the most practical thing for us to have 2 cars at the time. Besides, sometimes you feel weird for saying "yeah, we're a one car family". But why? That's dumb. Most people have 2 cars, but we had one car for years and did just fine because we both work at the same place. We are 6 minutes from home and ride together on the weekends anyway. It may not seem like a big deal to most of you. Selling a car? Big deal. I figure when God tells you to do something, it's big no matter what it is. We feel God leading us in this to make room for some things He wants us to do. If you remember my post from a couple of months ago about feeling an urgency to do something...I think this all goes together somehow.

His word says to trust and obey. He will take care of the rest.

Trust and obey.

Be bold.

Discipline your life so that He can work.

So, after praying and seeking it's up for sale. We also feel the Lord leading us to ask for a certain amount. Definitely being bold here. :)

We'll see what happens.

A week in the life: Catching Up (part 2)

Just got back from Dallas yesterday from a week long conference for our denomination. Sean was asked to lead worship and I was asked to be a part of it. We led worship every morning and evening. It was fun doing music every day and living in a hotel.

The big kids got to stay with their cousins. We are so blessed to have such great family. They had such a great time and it was such a reminder to thank God that we all live close to one another. Jason and I took Madi with us (who, by the way, is 5 months old!) and really got time to bond with her a little more.

Daddy's Girl

Madi and her "Aunt" Rachel. :)

It was really needed for us and felt a little like a vacation. The staff at River City is like family to us. I am so blessed.

A few things on my mind these days:

Jackson is starting kinder soon.

Music. Music. Music.

Discipline in my life.

Focus.

Sacrifice.

Heartbroken children. I want to help.

Being more diligent.

Reaching more for the kingdom.

Worship.

Being thankful for my husband.

New meal ideas.

There always seems to be something I'm thinking about. The cycle never ends. :) I don't suppose it ever well or that I even want it to.

Home

Mumford & Sons - "Home/Untitled" (Live on KBCO) by TwentyFourBit.com

Home.

By Mumford & Sons

Enjoy.

A week in the life: Catching up

My "A week in the life" idea seemed good at the time and then I got busy. Goodness gracious...things never slow down. Did I really just say "goodness gracious"?

Saturday was just like any other Saturday for our family. I made waffles, went grocery shopping and did laundry. We had Sean & Lauri over for swimming and dinner. Ryan, Lauren and Jonathan joined too. Ryan cheats at games. Don't ever play with that boy. The end.

Once I got over my bitterness over the game cheater I realized I had better things to worry about and then it was Sunday. Sunday mornings in our house start at 5:30....AM. Ugh...it's an even bigger UGH when you have 3 kids to get up and ready. However, we manage and it never seems to phase them until about 2:00 that afternoon when they sleep for 2 hours. Worship went great that morning. I love leading worship and I adore seeing people experience the Lord. What a gift. Sean started a new series that morning called "When God Chooses You" and spoke about Abraham. I am truly excited for this series and can't wait for it to unfold. After church on Sunday we got home, did more laundry, packed the kids up and headed to drop them off at Aaron and Bre's for a week. I was sad to see them go, but they just kind of half hugged me and went upstairs to play like it was Disney Land. Bre's house is magical. :) When I got home that night I realized I hadn't even started packing for Jason and I. So what did I do? I stayed up until midnight washing clothes and cleaning my house. My parents always cleaned before they went on vacation. I used to hate that and now...well, now my house is clean.

We got up early on Monday and left for Dallas at 6:30am. I am now sitting in a LOVELY hotel and just finished up with the 1st worship set of the week. We are at our denominations General Conference. There are pastors and leaders here from all over the country and Sean was asked to lead worship. Madi is with us, but it's nice to have a bit of a breather for a week. Tonight we'll be leading worship again and hanging with the staff.

Good times, good times. :)

A week in the life: Friday

I saw this on someones blog recently. I thought I'd do it for a week, record what happens in my day and look back on it in 5 years and laugh. Maybe you'll join me. :) Plus, it gives you a reason to blog!

Today I woke up at 6:20 to Madi crying. After feeding her a bottle, I feel back asleep for maybe 20 minutes. Jason left for work early, so I got up to start a load of laundry. I decided to snuggle with the kids a bit before we started the craziness of getting out of the house.

I actually made my bed too. It instantly changes how my room feels, so I like doing it. Madi is getting 2 teeth in and was fussy this morning, but I had to take a shower and just let her cry it out in her bouncy chair. Jackson had Creative Arts Camp at the church today at 9:00am and we were running late. I quickly blow dried my hair and left 10 till 9:00 to find that I had 9 miles left in my Expedition. Lovely. We quickly got gas, swung by McDonald's for breakfast and made it to the church a little after 9:00. Thank God a friend of mine was outside to take Jackson in because as I was driving in to the church my iced tea fell over on me and the front seat. Since we are leaving on Monday I figured it might be good to vacuum out the car anyway. The girls and I went up the street, cleaned the car out and went back to the church to wrap up some things for Sunday and to watch Jackson's performance from his camp. The kids did such a great job and he loved every part of it. There was a hotdog celebration afterwards that I helped serve at and then we left because the kids were melting down. The kids are finally laying down to take naps and I am getting ready to send out a few emails to my worship team and get my creative juices flowing for a new series we're starting up at River City. I've promised the kids later that we will go for a swim when they wake up and then to the church to watch "How To Train Your Dragon" on the big screens. Jason will be home later this afternoon and I have got to get some laundry done before we leave for Dallas on Monday morning.

So, that's a day in my life. Nothing too exciting! Ha! What's yours look like?