I have recently been challenged again by II Corinthians 5:6-10. I find it difficult to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord regardless of my circumstances. I have found it easy to be discouraged about many things over the years. Some I have chosen, and some have been chosen for me by others...but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that my heart stays focused on the things that are to come, and that I remember how my life will be evaluated when it is done.
Recently, I have finished reading a book by Sheila Walsh (Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God). She addresses this very thing, and I love how she puts it:
"For some of us who have trusted Christ as Savior, but lived for ourselves, our life's work will burn up at our feet, and there will be nothing left. We will enter heaven but have nothing to place into the nail-pierced hands of Christ. For others...the fire will reveal gold and silver and precious stones. They will be placed into a crown and those who are given that crown will have the unspeakable joy of laying it at the feet of Jesus..." (p. 227)
I can't imagine having much to offer Jesus, but I love the thought of this picture more than anything on this earth. I am hoping and praying that I can remember this through my current struggles, and the many more that may come my way before my time is up! I'm not sure why I am writing about this, but just felt that a reader somewhere needed to be encouraged by this as much as I have lately.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Lately, I've been...
...setting up for summer by getting outdoor toys cleaned and ready. Also starting to look at camping stuff as we are hoping to do our first trip in the next couple of weeks.
...wondering when our screen gazebo will be fixed (the aforementioned lawn man with nicer pants than I used to have ran over it with his blade).
...trying to get ready to tackle potty training once and for all. I feel that I have failed miserably as a parent in this department. Not because of how old Josiah is, but because I feel that he was very ready a while back and I didn't follow through.
...trying to find new pillows for Chris. You have no idea how difficult this is. He likes his pillows extremely flat. Honestly, they are so flat I wonder why he uses one at all! I guess flat pillows are not really popular because I have yet to find any. Let me know if you see some!
...loving salad, iced coffee, and smoothies. I will try to post some of the ones I have been enjoying the most.
...coping with a bit of clingy-ness. Since the trip I went on for work a couple of weeks ago, Josiah has been a little needier. (I had some clients in Miramichi, my own hotel room, all meals paid and made not by me, and three days to only think about work and myself= pretty nice deal!).
...desperately needing a haircut, but can't seem to find the time.
...looking for a job/direction for September. A couple of leads, but no news yet.
...thinking about the end times. Having a kid makes me wish for the second coming way more than I used to!
...reading a lot.
...missing music, and thinking that I might be ready to do some writing again (it's been a while!).
...experimenting with photography. I took some neat pictures of Josiah this week that I have not been able to download because my camera batteries are now dead from all the playing around.
...terrible at blogging! I think of you all, but it's just way too nice out!
...setting up for summer by getting outdoor toys cleaned and ready. Also starting to look at camping stuff as we are hoping to do our first trip in the next couple of weeks.
...wondering when our screen gazebo will be fixed (the aforementioned lawn man with nicer pants than I used to have ran over it with his blade).
...trying to get ready to tackle potty training once and for all. I feel that I have failed miserably as a parent in this department. Not because of how old Josiah is, but because I feel that he was very ready a while back and I didn't follow through.
...trying to find new pillows for Chris. You have no idea how difficult this is. He likes his pillows extremely flat. Honestly, they are so flat I wonder why he uses one at all! I guess flat pillows are not really popular because I have yet to find any. Let me know if you see some!
...loving salad, iced coffee, and smoothies. I will try to post some of the ones I have been enjoying the most.
...coping with a bit of clingy-ness. Since the trip I went on for work a couple of weeks ago, Josiah has been a little needier. (I had some clients in Miramichi, my own hotel room, all meals paid and made not by me, and three days to only think about work and myself= pretty nice deal!).
...desperately needing a haircut, but can't seem to find the time.
...looking for a job/direction for September. A couple of leads, but no news yet.
...thinking about the end times. Having a kid makes me wish for the second coming way more than I used to!
...reading a lot.
...missing music, and thinking that I might be ready to do some writing again (it's been a while!).
...experimenting with photography. I took some neat pictures of Josiah this week that I have not been able to download because my camera batteries are now dead from all the playing around.
...terrible at blogging! I think of you all, but it's just way too nice out!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Many of you have heard me talk about how difficult and long Tuesdays and Thursdays are in my week. These are the two days that I am alone with Josiah for about fourteen hours. It's funny that being at home on Fridays seems so much easier, because I know that Chris will show up sometime between four and five o'clock.
Well, today I decided not to take the truck and just stay home (we are still getting used to only having one vehicle). It is very hard to be alone and stuck at home! So far, it has just been 'one of those days.' We cleaned this morning, and washed a bunch of toys. I did four loads of laundry (don't ask) among other chores. I stayed in my PJ's until I put Josiah down for his nap! We were planning a nice outing after he woke up...a long walk to the local park. As I started getting ready, I realized that Chris has all of the sunscreen in the truck...at work. I guess we'll survive this long day inside, but there are still a few hours left to go before bed time!
Here's what Josiah has been doing all day (oh, and helping me clean too!):
Well, today I decided not to take the truck and just stay home (we are still getting used to only having one vehicle). It is very hard to be alone and stuck at home! So far, it has just been 'one of those days.' We cleaned this morning, and washed a bunch of toys. I did four loads of laundry (don't ask) among other chores. I stayed in my PJ's until I put Josiah down for his nap! We were planning a nice outing after he woke up...a long walk to the local park. As I started getting ready, I realized that Chris has all of the sunscreen in the truck...at work. I guess we'll survive this long day inside, but there are still a few hours left to go before bed time!
Here's what Josiah has been doing all day (oh, and helping me clean too!):
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Not to brag (okay, maybe a little bit), but I think that Josiah has one of the greatest dads on the planet! Chris has been very involved since before the beginning, and he hasn't missed a beat. From doctor's appointments, late night feedings, diapers, playtime, wrestling matches, teachable moments, down time, stories, outings, road trips...the list goes on! Chris is one of the few dads I know who is willing to stay home part time so I can work a bit too, so he has had some great bonding time over the past year and a half. As I looked through the pictures of the two of them, I realized I have way too many to count. Here are just a few of my favorites:
at
Happy Father's Day everyone!!
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Happy Father's Day everyone!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I thought I'd give you a photo/news update since the long weekend. This is just an assortment of things we've been up to.
Here is Josiah at his booster...no more high chair here!
First visit to the zoo this season:
Trying Grampy Mealey's hat on for size:
Playing ball with daddy:
Ran into Chris' parents at the national park when we were getting our season passes:
Nothing like a good old diaper change in the back of the truck (this is getting much more difficult than it used to be!):
More fun with the wagon:
Playing with friends (and I actually remembered to bring my camera for once!):
Running in the rain (there's been lots of it lately!):
Here is Josiah at his booster...no more high chair here!
First visit to the zoo this season:
Trying Grampy Mealey's hat on for size:
Playing ball with daddy:
Ran into Chris' parents at the national park when we were getting our season passes:
Nothing like a good old diaper change in the back of the truck (this is getting much more difficult than it used to be!):
More fun with the wagon:
Playing with friends (and I actually remembered to bring my camera for once!):
Running in the rain (there's been lots of it lately!):
Sunday, June 6, 2010
I found a website that I thought was very interesting, so I thought I'd share it with you. It provides safety ratings on various cosmetic/personal products. Some of the products that seem 'organic' and safe aren't so much. I have been going through my own products (and baby products too!), and think that I'll be checking this sight before I buy anything new! Hope you find it as interesting/helpful as I did.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Our prayer at lunch time today:
"Dear God, thanks for music and for this food. Please bless daddy at work...and if Josiah did swallow the sticker that was on his hand, please let his tummy feel okay..."
Funny how prayer (along with so many other things) changes with children. It's a good thing that God cares about the little things too!
Speaking of prayer, we would love to have some! I found out this week that my job is coming to an end and I need a new one. Hopefully it will last until the end of August, although sometimes I am not so certain. My boss is cutting way back, partly due to the economy and how it has affected her business. She is also nearing retirement and is cutting her own hours (along with others) drastically to work towards this goal. This end came as a bit of a surprise to us! I thought I'd be there at least another year. Even though it was unexpected, I try to remember that God did expect it. He also knows what we need and what will happen next.
All week, when I have felt anxious, I sing a little song to Josiah and it helps me feel better. These are the words:
"The Lord has given His life for us.
No need to fuss...He knows what He's doing.
He knows that He will take care of us, if we will follow Him.
God's way is the best way, now that I know He loves me so.
His way is the best way, and that's the way for me."
Who would have thought that a kid's song could be so comforting!
"Dear God, thanks for music and for this food. Please bless daddy at work...and if Josiah did swallow the sticker that was on his hand, please let his tummy feel okay..."
Funny how prayer (along with so many other things) changes with children. It's a good thing that God cares about the little things too!
Speaking of prayer, we would love to have some! I found out this week that my job is coming to an end and I need a new one. Hopefully it will last until the end of August, although sometimes I am not so certain. My boss is cutting way back, partly due to the economy and how it has affected her business. She is also nearing retirement and is cutting her own hours (along with others) drastically to work towards this goal. This end came as a bit of a surprise to us! I thought I'd be there at least another year. Even though it was unexpected, I try to remember that God did expect it. He also knows what we need and what will happen next.
All week, when I have felt anxious, I sing a little song to Josiah and it helps me feel better. These are the words:
"The Lord has given His life for us.
No need to fuss...He knows what He's doing.
He knows that He will take care of us, if we will follow Him.
God's way is the best way, now that I know He loves me so.
His way is the best way, and that's the way for me."
Who would have thought that a kid's song could be so comforting!
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