Memory Verse

It's not Monday, but here is a new memory verse for you... Happy Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday

81. the smell of turkey dinner

82. a friend who sends a prayer through email

83. memories of past Christmases

84. a house full of laughter

85. the soft glow of Christmas lights

86. fresh snow

87. coffee with a dear friend

88. family party at the Rec center

89. cozy couch time

90. squirrels playing tag

91. picture perfect sunsets

92. a full golden moon

93. death is not final

94. thoughtful gifts

95. new dreams... what is next?

96. massage!

97. quiet dinner with my husband

98. Parents who want to see my kids

99. new Bible

100. the smell of home 

Thankful Thursday

61. Trying new things- glass blowing
62. stretching in faith
63. stepping out on faith
64. trusting God completely
65. working together to clean house
66. Protection for D&D
67. the ability to create
68. knock knock jokes
69. family time around a campfire
70. kids making up "shows"
71. learning new words
72. God speaking through friends
73. lazy movie days
74. dedicated teachers
75. not because of what I've done, but because of who you are
76. I am yours
77. quality time with friends
78. baking with the kids
79. Mr. D's b-day party with family
80. babysitters worth their weight in gold


Please leave a comment and let me know what you are thankful for today.

Wednesday Wisdom

I am pleased to introduce another of my She Speaks sisters. Kimberly Rae is an encourager! She is always quick to respond with prayer, optimism or Scripture. She has a big heart and I hope you enjoy her responses as much as I did.

Mama Always said…

 1. What is your life verse? What does it mean to you?

Zephaniah 3:17  This verse changed the way I saw God.  I used to worry all the time that I was disappointing Him, but when I read this verse, especially the part about Him singing over me, I finally really recognized His beautiful, unconditional love.  Mothers sing over their babies as they rock them to sleep—those babies that have done nothing for the mother as of yet, those babies that are loved beyond all reason simply because they belong to that mother.  God loves me like that.

2. I realized I was my mother when...

I think it was the first time I felt a baby moving inside me.  It was such a light touch, like butterfly wings, but every time I felt it, it reminded me that my life was changing forever.

3. I know now, but I wish I knew then...

That my worth isn’t based on what or how much I do.  I don’t need to prove myself all the time—in fact, everybody is better off when I stop stressing myself out doing too much, and instead rest in the Lord enough to be content and at peace.  My whole family benefits when I stop trying to prove myself and let some things go.

4. What is one thing you do just for you to relax and refresh?

I write.  Maybe years down the road that will feel like work, but for now, being a stay-at-home mom, getting away for an evening to write is a real break for me!

5. By now, I thought I would...

Be thriving on the mission field, involving my kids in our work, having a biography-worthy life in ministry.  Instead, I have chronic health problems, am a stay-at-home mom (and writer on the side) in the US, and I’m going to Emory next week to talk with a neurosurgeon about brain surgery.  Not what I’d expected, that’s for sure!

6. In the midst of the chaos a special trick that helps me cope...

Getting outside somewhere where all I can see in every direction is God’s beauty (nothing man-made).  It’s a visual way of getting myself back into God’s perspective and timing, not the rush and harshness of man’s world.

7. If I could go back for one day...

I’d go back to Bangladesh, find my friend who lived on the side of the road with her baby girl (I found out later the woman was a prostitute) and, knowing now that I’d never see her again, I would give her the Gospel in her language so she could read about God’s love for her.

8. The best advice I ever received about being a Mom...

I am responsible for training my kids for adulthood and for eternity.  That certainly puts things in perspective!  I’m not just training and disciplining them to keep my household controlled today—there is much more at stake here.

9. Don't worry about...

Anything!  The God of the universe loves you so much He knows how many hairs you have on your head.  If He keeps track of a detail as tiny and insignificant as that, we don’t need to worry about any small or big thing in our lives!!!

10. A perfect day for me...

Oh, wow, what a question!  I have to admit what comes to mind would be waking up after brain surgery and finding out that the health problems I’ve had for the past 15 years are over, that I’ll be able to go hiking in the mountains again. And hey, since we’re dreaming, I’d add a nice long backrub from my husband, dinner out to a great restaurant, and those last 8 pounds I’m trying to lose magically falling off me without effort!

The spiritual side of me says a perfect day would be finding out that our Muslim friends around the world turned to Jesus for salvation.  That would top being healthy, or skinny, any day.

Kimberly Rae has lived in several countries overseas.  She has been published over 100 times, has rafted the Nile River, and has eaten cow brains just to say she’d done it!  Her first novel, Stolen Woman, about international human trafficking and missions, was released this summer. Find out more at www.stolenwoman.org or visit Kimberly’s blog at www.stolenwoman.blogspot.com. 

I dumped my resolution!

Photo by Stoonn

I don't make New Year resolutions. There are many reasons... I never know how to pinpoint the change I want to make. I get overwhelmed by the vast possibilities. I'm not sure how to go about the changes. I have trouble following through on them and then I feel disappointed with myself for failing. Many years ago, I decided that avoiding resolutions altogether was the best option for me.

Last year, however, I heard about an alternative to the traditional resolution. It is called My One Word. This organization encourages focusing on one word rather than a list.

I like it! I think I could actually follow through with one word.

So after praying about it, "Love" became my one word for 2012.

At first, I felt like this was a rather simple word. The more I thought about it, however, the more complex it became in my mind. I really feel that God is leading me to love people the way that He loves them. To look at others beyond what is seen or first appears and to look deeper.

God reminded me of this verse A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

So I wondered, how do I go about this? It goes against my human nature to love others completely and unconditionally the way God does. I turned back to God's Word and our friend Paul for more direction.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)

This simple recipe for loving others is something I can do. Not through my own strength, but with God's help. I know I will have good days and bad. But I also know I will become more like my Father through this year and that is my ultimate goal, even beyond 2012.


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I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What are you hoping to do in 2012?  Share your resolutions or perhaps your word...

Marvelous Memory Monday

Hello Friends!

Happy Monday, I can't believe it has been a month since I posted. I have missed you, but I enjoyed focusing on my family and the holidays. I hope you were blessed!