Come Lay 'Em Down!

Phillipians 4:19-"My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I wrote this post a couple of weeks ago about my need for control (especially in the area of finances) and how having control makes me feel secure.

Well, I was tested this week. Michael called me Monday night, around 8:30, and said, "My truck is broken down on the side of the road. I need you to come get me."

We knew this was coming. His truck is 10 years old, he had been saying that it just "didn't feel right" when he was driving, it had no heat or air, he drives an hour and a half to work everyday, etc., etc. I went to pick him up and we were talking on the phone on my way there about tow trucks, new transmissions, and new cars. I didn't say anything to him, but I was getting all worked up in my head adding up the costs for all these things. And a new car?! EEEEK! No way did I want to add another monthly payment to our list.

That night, in our prayer before bed I prayed that God would find us just the right car at just the right price and that he would provide everything we needed.

So, Michael took a personal day from work the next day so that he could get everything squared away, get his truck towed home, and look for a new (used) car. He went to our insurance office to see how much they would pay on a towing bill. He called me on the way home and said, "So, I saved us $24 a month on our car insurance (No, really! We had forgotten to take off one of our old cars) and I borrowed a towing trailer (I guess that's what they're called?) to tow the truck home. "

I'm thinking, "Well, hallelujah! We're saving money on our car insurance and not having to pay for a tow truck! Thank you, Lord!"

He called a local salvage/junkyard who said they would buy his truck at a pretty reasonable price, especially considering it needs a transmission and an engine or motor.

We looked around on the internet at a few used cars. Then, he went to see a man about a car. I mean, a man he knows who buys/works on cars told him he had a car for sale. This car turns out to be in very good condition, at a price that allows us to pay cash without having to get a loan, and it gets 10 more MPG than his truck, which is a big deal when you commute 3 hours a day/5-6 days a week. We bought it!

Take all of your troubles and come lay 'em down.

I mean, something as simple as needing a car! Lay it down before Him.
Something as big as needing a job?! Lay it down.

Jehovah Jireh is my provider! He'll do it for you, too!

Not Me, Monday!, etc.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have *not* been doing this week.

This week, I should have won a Mother of the Year award. Even though I am a first time mother, I always avoid making mistakes that other FTMs usually make.

For example, my son definitely did not sleep in his car seat several times this week, because that is the only place he would sleep. That would just be irresponsible and neglectful. Who needs sleep anyways?

I also did not take Kade for a walk in his mei tai, keep my coat carefully wrapped around him the entire time, and then realize on the walk back that his poor chubby legs were actually hanging below my coat, his ankles exposed to the cold wind.

In a picture taken by one of my friends at church and posted on Facebook, Kade was certainly not pulling at my shirt, exposing an indecent amount of cleavage, to which another friend did not post the comment: Got milk? I always keep my shirts pulled up to my neck and will most definitely be wearing turtlenecks from now on.

On another non-mother related note, I have been such a healthy person since Kade was born. His milk protein allergy cut out all junk foods and a lot of fats from my diet. The main things I am allowed to eat are oatmeal, some breads, peanut butter, banana, carrots, chicken, green bean, and Oreos. Even though Oreos are dairy-free, I never take advantage of them. In fact, I did not and would not buy a package of Oreos on Saturday and have almost all of them eaten by Sunday. Nope.....

Bet you're feeling bad about all the things you did this week after reading all the things I didn't do, right?

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Kade had a terrible night's sleep last night. It's been hit and miss for him lately. Sometimes, he only wakes up once during the night and sometimes it seems like he's up half the night. Last night, he would not go to sleep until 11, and then was up from 4:30-7. At least he slept until 11 after that and I was able to get some extra sleep. There's another one of the blessings of being home; I'm able to sleep on his schedule sometimes.

God has also blessed me with some awesome piano students. I decided when I quit that I would teach a few piano lessons just to make some extra spending money. I asked God for 5 students and I currently have 6, with a couple on a waiting list. It keeps my brain going and keeps my teaching "skills" fresh. It also gives Kade a couple hours a week to spend with his grandparents, who keep him while I do lessons.

I could go on and on about God's blesings since I became a SAHM. He blessed us before, but I am amazed at the things He has done for us since we made this decision. Sometimes, I groan and complain about being by myself with Kade most of the time and feeling lonely and having less money, but ultimately, He has blessed us above and beyond anything we could have asked or thought.

Speaking of music , if you're a fan, have you checked out all the awesome new worship music that has come out lately? The new Passion: Awakening CD is good and then I heard an awesome one by Lincoln Brewster and Darlene Zscech today and I love, love, LOVE Hillsong! There are way too many to choose from! Everytime I find one I want to do in church, I hear another one and think, "Ooooh, that one, too!" I love to worship and just bask in God's presence. So refreshing!

So, this is a fairly random post, but I'm trying to write more and use the gifts God has given me when I get the chance.

Have a blessed week!

Betty Crocker

Lately, several people have commented to me that I have "turned into a Betty Crocker" since staying home. I've taken it as a compliment, translating "Betty Crocker" to mean the epitome of domesticity (Yeah, that sure is me! HA!)

I was thinking this morning, though--what have I done that would make me seem more "domestic" than before? I've made dinner for my husband (almost) every night, I've made and delivered a couple casseroles to a hurting family, I clean my house every week, and, unless I'm missing something, that's about it. It's more than I was able to do while working, but it hardly makes me Suzy Homemaker. I still take the "Betty Crocker" comment as a compliment, but really, I'm just trying to be the wife and mother God has called me to be.

Security and Control

I love tax refund time. I love to plan where each dollar goes. This much in our savings account, this much in our vacation account, this much in Kade's savings account, this much for home repairs, etc. Of course, this is all with Michael's approval, but I like to be in control of designating it. It makes me feel secure knowing we will have what we need when we need it.

Security.

At this point in his life, Kade feels secure (I'm just assuming) because I hold him, play with him, and take care of all his needs. I highly doubt he ever worries about where his next meal will come from or how we will pay for him to go to college. When I lived with my parents, I was never concerned about these things either. I knew my parents would provide them. I knew they loved me and would do whatever it took to give me what I needed and most of what I wanted. When we are young, love is security.

The first time I was really independent, financially, was when I got married. Michael worked, too, but I was bringing in my own income. It was plenty, but I knew that if I blew it on too many things I didn't really need, there wouldn't be enough for the things I did need--food, shelter, and utilities. I had to budget and keep track of what we were spending. I had to make sure we were saving. Have I made it clear yet that I like to be in control? Not in control of my husband, just in control of money and how it is spent. At this point in my life, money feels like security. Not having what I consider to be "enough" makes me feel very insecure and unstable about everything.

I was thinking about this today as I was mentally making yet another list of places to save/wisely spend our refund check and worrying whether it would be "enough".

Ok, I know you're waiting for me to make this into a lesson, right?

Wait for it....
Wait for it....









Why can't we keep that security we felt as children? Why can't we, knowing our heavenly Father loves us, wants us to have the best, and owns the cattle on a thousand hills, rest peacefully in that fact? Why can't we relinquish control and trust that we are going to be taken care of by our heavenly Father?

Oh...we can?

Or maybe it's just me.
Yeah, probably.......


DISCLAIMER: This does not mean you should quit your job, blow your entire life savings on a Winnebago, and travel the United States, trusting that God will send you a check each month to cover the expenses. What I mean is that you are free from obsessing over all the things in this life that make you feel secure. Just so you know.

Priorities

I've had a lot going on lately, and obviously, blogging hasn't been on the top of my list.

It's not that I don't want to blog. In fact, I love to write and think about doing it everyday. It just seems like all of my other "priorities" get in the way.

I've been trying to figure out this whole SAHM thing. I won't lie; the first several weeks were really tough. I'm used to being around unruly/noisy/lazy/smart/loveable (I had to throw in a few redeeming qualities) teenagers all day. I'm used to pacing a classroom, trying to create intelligent discussions, filling out forms, grading papers. Etc., etc., etc. I'm used to receiving a paycheck.

Now, my day consists of waking up, feeding Kade, hopefully feeding myself, playing with Kade, showering, feeding Kade, putting Kade down for a nap, cleaning or spending a few minutes to myself, feeding Kade, feeding myself, playing with Kade, getting things done around the house, feeding Kade, putting Kade down for a nap.....getting the picture? Don't think I am in any way complaining, but this is actually how my day goes. I am just as busy (probably busier) as I was at "work", but everything is completely different. No adult interaction during the day, no break, no affirmation. Most of the things I do are things I have to do--clean, cook, run errands. I feel very alone sometimes. My husband works very long hours so that I can stay at home, and often, I feel like I'm raising Kade and running the household alone.

I'm here for a reason, though, and every day I'm more convinced of that. God is going to bless me for the sacrifices I'm making. Understand, I'm not making sacrifices intentionally for the purpose of being blessed, but I know that I will be blessed for the sacrifices I am choosing to make.

Meanwhile, to feel more human, I've started to make things I want to do priorities. Not my top priorities, of course. God, Michael, and Kade (in that order) are my top priorities. I realize though, that my gifts, my health, and my happiness should also be on that list.

Thus, today, I blog!

Kade is 6 months old now. He started sitting up 3 weeks ago and he is sorta kinda trying to scoot on his belly. He loves sweet potatoes and carrots, but doesn't seem to like any fruits so far! He is allergic to milk protein, which isn't a big deal for him right now, but it is for his mama, since I haveto refrain from all dairy products. He whispers (yes, whispers) da-da and makes an assortment of other sounds. He will lie in his crib in the morning and talk to himself and blow bubbles. On a good night (which is most of the time) he only wakes up once--to eat--and then goes back to sleep. He still has the blue eyes he has had since birth, which is strange since no one in our immediate families as blue eyes. He also has blonde hair, which isn't so strange since Michael's sister has blonde hair, but I guess I just always expected it to be dark. He was dedicated to the Lord last Sunday morning at church, along with his friend Isabella, who is 3 weeks older. He is a strong, handsome, intelligent, godly boy and I'm proud to have him as my son!

Have I mentioned my awesome, hardworking husband? He hasn't done anything new lately, like learn to sit up or eat solids, but he is still the best, mostly godly, loving man I know (my dad runs a very close second). He does customer service for a water heater company and I love to hear the stories of people he talks to on the phone--sometimes famous people! Lately, we've been working on " cleaving" per our new couples Sunday School class at church. He mentioned in our discussion last week that we are closest, as a couple, when we pray with each other, versus just praying for each other. I have to agree. There's something very powerful about hearing your spouse pray for you, with you! I love you, honey!

Worship has been a big thing in our lives lately. I feel like something is about to break loose in our church and I know it's going to be huge. Everytime we worship, it seems like we are right on the verge of.....of something......I don't know, what. I see people being more obedient and submissive to the Spirit. The Devil has tried to attack our church family this year with sickness, disease, and death, but we have overcome. And we will keep on overcoming.

I am blessed.
I am blessed beyond measure.
My cups overflows!

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. You can even write one yourself!

"Not Me! Monday!" is an unembarrassing way to admit things you totally didn't do this week!

Let's get started; shall we?

When I saw yet another dust bunny creep out from under the entertainment center while dusting last week, I certainly did not kick it back underneath there with my toe, pretending I had never seen it. Nope! Not me!

I did not grind extra coffee and throw it away every morning this week, just to make sure I used the coffee "within 7-10 days", like the back of the bag says. I am never wasteful, so I would most certainly never do something like that!

I also did not nurse and rock my baby to sleep every night this week! That would be spoiling him! He will never be able to go to sleep on his own, now, so I most definitely didn't do that!

Last Wednesday, when our local grocery store had a 30% off closing sale, I did not go there after my dentist appointment just to get a few extra minutes alone. Nope! Not me! I wanted to get home as fast as I could, but I realllly needed 30% off peanut butter and orange juice.

On Saturday, I did not walk up to my husband, rub my knuckles on his head and ask him if he "wanted a nookie" to which he did not reply (looking somewhat embarrassed), "Um...honey, I think you mean noogie." Nope! Not me! I know the difference between those two words!

I did not just look up the word "noogie" to make sure I spelled it right.

Yesterday at church, when my husband took our son to the bathroom to change his diaper, I did not get up after 10 minutes to make sure he hadn't handed our son to my mother-in-law, who was sitting in the back. Nope! Not me! I like to share time with my baby!

Join in and let us know what you did not do this week!

Don't wanna preach....

but unfortunately I take after my dad in that I can never miss the oppotunity to pass up a good object lesson.

I'll save that for later, though.

Since I've started staying home with Kade, I've tried to get my cleaning/hosewifely duties on a schedule. Usually, it goes something like this:


Monday-All laundry (wash, dry, and fold; usually 3-4 loads); generally straighten up the house from the weekend.
Tuesday-finish any laundry; dust everything
Wednesday-bathrooms (toilet, sink, bathtub, mirrors)
Thursday-floors (sweep and/or mop)
Friday-project like cleaning out a closet and/or straightening up
Saturday-Nothing
Sunday-Nothing



I love being able to get all my house cleaning done during the week and not having to give up my time with Michael or Kade on the weekends to scrub toilets.

But, by Sunday night, my normally *ahem* pristine house looks like this--

Yep, after just two days, there are dishes piled up in the sink, the counters are cluttered with junk, and the floor is covered with crumbs and particles of dust that stick to your feet when you walk across the room. Yuck!

I could blame it on my husband being home for a full two days, but it is I who choose to do asolutely nothing around the house on Saturday or Sunday.

Every Monday, I have to start all over.

If my house looks like the above picture after only two days, imagine what would happen if I cleaned my house only one day a week and relaxed the rest of the week (Not saying I haven't done that before). You wouldn't even be able to wade through the mess!

Kind of reminds me of life sometimes.

Every Sunday, I go to church. I get right with God, worship Him, ask for forgiveness, listen to a great message, and go home with a warm, fuzzy feeling that lasts the rest of the day.

But sometimes, for the rest of the week, I let it all go. After all, I got right with God on Sunday. That should hold up for a few days. So, I snap at my husband or whine about all I have to do or gossip or all of the above and more. By the time the next Sunday rolls around, I'm in a bigger mess than I was the Sunday before. So, I ask for forgiveness again, feel clean and refreshed and go home with a warm, fuzzy feeling that lasts the rest of the day.

Annnnnd....Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I am in no way saying that there's anything wrong with me relaxing on the weekends when it comes to my house. When it comes to my heart and my relationship with God, though, it's a completely different story.

What a better week I have when I spend time each day with God, whether it be just starting off my day with prayer or reading a devotional or worshipping him while I'm cleaning or driving down the road. When Sunday rolls around, I don't feel like I have to start all over. I can just enjoy being in his presence.

What a mess my house would be if I let it go all week!
And what a mess my heart would be if I said, "Ok, God, have a good week! See you next Sunday!"

This week, I will try to keep my heart as neat as my home!

And maybe next Sunday night, I'll wash the dishes!

Be blessed this week!