Live it!

Here I sit at my computer with bits and pieces of thoughts swirling through my mind. The Lord is whispering to me, and I am trying to catch it. Let me see if I can capture it in writing.

Last week I became so aware that my priorities in life are often not the same as the Lord’s. My emotions are like the waves of the sea. Little things such as a messy house or an interrupted nap can throw me into a funk. And big things like a friend struggling with her marriage or a sick neighbor or the salvation of loved ones can affect my outlook very little. My self-centeredness makes me sick. I keep crying out to the Lord, “Change me. Give me Your eyes…Your heart…Your priorities!”

On Wednesday during prayer group, my mom mentioned Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

And similar verses began tickling at my mind. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

One of my pet peeves is wasted time, and I think the Lord would agree. We are commanded to number our days…to redeem the time. We need to abide closely with the Lord so that the things that move His heart move ours as well.

As I sat here singing worship songs this afternoon, I felt my priorities crystallizing. I want to know Jesus better, follow Him harder, glorify Him more. I want to love my husband and son extravagantly. I want to be a help, encouragement, and inspiration to my husband. I want to train up Godly children. I want to love and serve the family, friends, and acquaintances that God brings to me.

I remember a quote from Jim Elliot: “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” Yes, I want to do that. I want to work hard, live well, and love extravagantly.

But, I can tell you exactly what will happen the second I walk away from this computer and this time with the Lord. Earthly concerns will come crashing back onto my shoulders. Laundry needs folded. Supper needs prepared. Daniel needs entertained. And I am tired. Pretty soon my heavenly perspective fades, and I am back to surviving instead of thriving. I am enduring the moment instead of living it to the hilt. I am waiting for change instead of enjoying where I am.

What is the answer? How do I maintain that holy perspective? I don’t exactly know. What I do know is this…abiding closely with the Lord is of utmost importance. Striving toward righteousness and repenting when you fail is too.

This quote from the girltalk blog means so much to me. I have it posted on my fridge, and when I lose my perspective, this helps bring me back.

“Ordinary is where we all live most of the time. And yet our mundane, repetitive days are full of enduring work. Homes are being built. Families are being knit together. Little souls are being shaped for eternity. The tedious is, in fact, momentous—when done for the sake of Christ: ‘…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior’ (Titus 2:10).”

The Lord gives us small and large tasks to do. And some that we feel to be quite trivial might be the most significant to Him. Regardless of the task, we are called to do it to God’s glory. So, number your days! Redeem the time! Glorify God in everything! Whether you are washing dishes or out on foreign mission fields…whether you are changing diapers or preaching from the pulpit…live it! When your passion fades and your perspective grows dim, turn back to God. He will remind you of the way.

Happy Birthday, Melissia!

On Saturday, Brian's mom celebrated her 60th birthday! She had a lovely party with good food and good friends. We all had a wonderful time! Daniel especially enjoyed the exciting wildlife at Grandma Missi's house. There were pretty koi in the fish pond, a Cockatiel named Dennis (see photos below), three dogs, and lots of squirrels and snails. What more could a little boy want?






Melissia, we love you and hope you had a wonderful birthday. You are an awesome mom, mom-in-law, and grandmother to our little family!

Jumping baby!

These photos could almost make one of those little flip books!







This last one is just cute. I love my two boys!

To the zoo!

We took Daniel to the nearby zoo this weekend. What this zoo lacks in animals, it definitely makes up for with beautiful landscaping.

My little man and me...What a wonderful Mother's Day!

If you enlarge the above photo, you can read that little sign on the fence. I didn't notice it until I stepped back to take this photo. I still snapped the picture, but then quickly made him get down. I promise!

A boy and his turtle

Meet Toot, the friendly box turtle that we had been holding captive in our backyard.
Daniel loved Toot! He showed him to everyone who visited our house. He loved feeding Toot. Notice the turtle's red chin in the photo above. Yep, that's strawberry juice. Even if Toot did not appreciate his small living quarters, I am sure he enjoyed the abundant menu of worms, fruit, and veggies.

Daniel loved playing with Toot. Oh my, that poor turtle had likely never experienced such affection and adoration.


We decided to set Toot free on Friday. I told Daniel, "We are going to take Toot to a new home." I'm not sure if Daniel completely understood what was about to transpire, but he was very excited to load Toot in the car and drive to the local park/city pond. Daniel kept repeating "New home! Toot's new home!"

At the park, we said our farewells and released Toot in the weeds next to the pond. Daniel eagerly watched as Toot made a dash for the water and began swimming along the shore. After a few moments though, Daniel began patting his leg (in the same manner as you might call a dog) and saying, "Come, Toot! Come!" I explained that this was Toot's new home, and we were going to leave him there. Daniel handled it pretty well, and shouted "Bye, Toot!" as we headed back to the car.

Daniel still mentions Toot from time to time. When he and Brian visited that same park the next day, Daniel took his Daddy all around the pond looking and calling for Toot. Oh, the joys and sorrows of bringing home a box turtle!

Kite Flying

This spring has brought many new "firsts" for Daniel. We bought him his first fishing pole, which he absolutely adores. Then, Brian found Daniel his first pet box turtle. We have been keeping it outdoors in a big tub and feeding it earth worms, strawberries, and various vegetables.

Daniel's latest first has been his new kite. Daniel loves, loves, loves flying his kite. He can frequently be heard chanting, "Pie kite! Pie kite!" (Translation: Fly kite. His "f" sounds sometimes come out as "p" sounds. Very cute, but it makes deciphering what he is saying somewhat difficult for the untrained ear.)

Above, Brian is getting the kite in the air. Daniel really wanted to do it himself, but he settled for pretending while Daddy did it.

Our fish kite! Isn't the blue sky just gorgeous?

And here is Daniel, finally getting his turn at flying the kite. He did very well and never let go of the string. What a big boy!