Tennessee Here We Come

There are a million things I SHOULD be doing right now because we are leaving for vacation on friday morning. Other than get all of our stuff packed we are also having an open house while we are gone so it needs to be clean (I like leaving the house clean but not that clean). I just cannot wait to go on vacation!!

Let me explain, my father is CRAZY about vacations (this may run in the genes). Both my parents were school teachers (when my mom worked) and so once spring break and summer rolled around it was time to hit the road. My dad bought into a time share when I was just 5 and continually has built weeks since then. My parents were not wealthy at all (did I mention they worked at Christian schools) but this has always been a priority to them. They drove junky cars, we did not eat out often and a lot of things were hand me downs but we did have great vacations.

Now that my dad has points stored up he generously gives us children vacations. I am so thankful for this because I feel that it is a need and otherwise we would not be able to afford them. The most vivid (and best) memories I have are from vacations and I am so looking forward to building some of these with our little family.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the man who comes home from work and instantly has to be in play mode, doesn't mind rolling around on the floor just to get a few laughs, sings all hours of the night to a screaming little boy, changes lots of nasty diapers, has incredible patience (when I want to scream) and wants nothing more than to see his son grow up to be a man who honors Christ with his life.

We are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Anxiousness & Worry

I am a weenie! There are a lot of things that I am not afraid of such as roller coasters, repelling, rock climbing or white water rafting (which I have done all of). But if there is a tornado watch or a really bad thunderstorm I literally start shaking. I hate them!! This is on my mind right now because last night we had some pretty severe storms and of course I got out of bed (twice!!) to check if we had a tornado watch (which we did). I love that I jump in bed when there is thunder (I will say it was very loud) but my 14 month old just sleeps soundly. I think that tells me something about childlike faith that my baby can teach me. God is sovereign and is in control! Period!

We are starting a new study at church this coming week called Calm My Anxious Heart. I have read this book over four times. I read it every summer because these are things I really struggle with (the book also talks a lot about contentment - add it my list). I tend to think about the "What ifs?' in life. What if Jason gets in a car accident? What if something happened to Owen? Oswald Chambers says, "It is not only wrong to worry, it is infidelity, because worrying means that we do not think God can look after the details in our lives, and it is never anything else that worries us." Ouch!

These last couple of years God has really worked on me in these areas (obviously, I still have a long way to go). But one thing that has made a difference for me is having a heart of thanksgiving. When I sit down and write out all of the things I have to be thankful for (sorry for those taking the study - this is in the book) I realize how God has been sovereign over the years and always provided all my needs. At that point worry starts to melt away (at least for a little while) and I am content in my situations God has put me in (again, I wish this lasted longer).

I am going to end with one of my favorite passages:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

AMEN!!!