We had such a fun day yesterday celebrating my birthday and attending the church Fall Festival. At some point during the night, you all climbed in our bed. This morning you all needed some extra sleep. I loved seeing you each with you faces still painted; reminders of a fun evening. This time of year is so busy, but it is so wonderful to see you all enjoying the fun activities. Childhood is such a brief season and I hope yours will be filled with wonderful memories and traditions.
Every year you love going to the Fall Festival at church. You love getting to have an extra night to dress up in your Halloween costumes.
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in the quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.” –Mary Jean Iron
This week I will celebrate another year of life. Birthdays have become bitter sweet for me. I am so grateful for another year of health and life, yet there is a part of me that is also a bit nostalgic.The years seem to pass with such speed. As children we tend to race from one year to the next; and then, all of the sudden, we realize the urgency to appreciate each day we are gifted.
On Sunday,we gathered with all of our family (aunts, uncles, cousins) at Mimi and Popi's house for dinner. You could say this is our “ordinary”, as Mimi and Popi host us almost every week for Family Night Dinner. I couldn't help but pause and be so grateful for this normal. Admittedly, life with 10 adults and 10 children is not always perfect. We all have our differences and there are times where grace is lost, but I see so much beauty and love in each of them. I thank God that we can experience life together. Having one another to share the celebrations, the sorrows, and the everyday is certainly a treasure.Please, normal day, "let me never pass you by in the quest for some rare and perfect tomorrow." Let me see the beauty in each moment, each day.
You turned 8 today. I thank God for the plan He had for you in our world. You are sensitive and full of love and compassion.You constantly remind me of what childhood feels like. You live with passion and share your heart with everyone you are around. So grateful for you and your life.
Today was your first game of the season. You were so nervous on the drive to the game, you didn't talk much at all. I am so proud of the way you played. You are one of four girls on an all boy's competitive soccer team. You have overcome fear and really showed dedication to this sport. I love you and look forward to the season ahead.
The past few weeks my emotions have been high. Frustrations have gotten the best of me and at times I’ve felt overwhelmed. I am usually a strong and positive person. But, sometimes, I am weak. I call out to God with questions. I want to know He is there.
Sunday, I was listening to the song Reason to Sing by All Sons and Daughters, “I need a reason to sing. I need a reason to sing. I need to know that you're still holding the whole world in your hands. I need a reason to sing.
In the song, singer Leslie Jordan shares this verse, "But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to The Lord because he is good to me." Psalm 13:5-6
She then continues singing, “I will sing, sing, sing to my God, my King for all else fades away. And I will love, love, love with this heart You've made for You've been good always.”
This song was a reminder that He has always been good to me and that His plans are for me. They reminded me to come humbly before Him and give Him my needs.
During difficult times, we often lose sight of His presence; but, He is always with us. Yesterday, I spent time at the lake with baby Sissy. A few minutes after these pictures were taken I was soaked and laughing with you in the water. There was something about that time at the lake that changed my perspective. In those moments together, I could feel His love for me. I could feel His goodness. As I continued to sit at the lake last night, I felt a renewed peace and I remembered why I have a reason to sing.
10 and a half.
You are swimming in a current somewhere between childhood and teen. A time that is filled with so many questions. A realization of the world and the vast views it holds. A time of so much change; some welcomed and some feared. An awareness of your peers and caring what they think. A time filled with emotions that are hard to express.
This growing time can feel like an ocean tossing you back and forth. We guide you, listen and try to help you navigate. We have been in your shoes, yet, it doesn't always help. Our prayer is for you to honor God always. To realize that your beauty and worth are found only in Him. To seek Him on days you feels lonely. To praise Him through everything. Most of all, we pray that you will know without a doubt that you are loved by us and Him.
These are only steps. Steps to becoming the woman God has planned for you. A small part of life, that can be so overwhelming at times. Yet, through it all, I somehow feel at peace. I know you are in His hands.
A needed reminder on my morning walk. No matter how dark life seems, no matter how foggy, His light is greater than it all.
"But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me. Psalm 13: 5-6
Today you asked if you could paint on the back porch. You painted the most beautiful blue flowers, a butterfly and two suns. You have had a paint brush in your hand for as long as I can remember and I love how you've grown into such a creative artist.
For most of my life I have been a people pleaser. I know that I am sufficient in Christ alone and that it is impossible to please everyone; but sometimes, I still fail and seek this unneeded and unrealistic affirmation. I have realized how much people pleasing can hurt our family.
In Lysa Terkeurst’s book The Best Yes, she says “You won’t ever be able to keep up with unrealistic. Unrealistic demands leads to undercurrents of failure. So don’t allow the unrealistic demands of others to march freely into your life. Resolve instead to make decisions based on what is realistic –not trying to earn the approval of or impress another.” In addition, “We must not confuse the command to love, with the disease to please.”
This means that saying no is a must at times, in order to have the peace and space in our homes that we need to thrive. Every task or request that we accept means we have less room in our lives for something else. More importantly, it means we have less time to really enjoy the people we love.
Lysa continues, “Connecting with those we love is like soul food. It’s not that we don’t have tasks to do, but rather we don’t fill up with tasks at the risk of starving our relationships. Relationships nourish us in ways nothing else can. It’s the relationships that help unrush us.”
Time to enjoy our families is truly one of life's greatest blessings.
A few nights ago I was with a small group of ladies discussing the question, “What is one thing that keeps you from being truly authentic with others?”
I thought for a few minutes and then I had my own question. Why do I strive to be authentic with others? Why do I crave authenticity? I really want to know the heart and soul of the people I am around. I prefer meaningful conversations over small talk always. It is so important to me to teach this quality to all of you, especially Big sissy and Baby sissy.
As our group discussed this in depth, I began to realize how many women struggle with being authentic. We often wear masks, as we try to cover hurts or struggles in our lives. Many fear judgment and keep guarded in our relationships. Decisions are sometimes made based on what others think, instead of true desires. I have noticed this struggle even in Big Sissy. I continue to tell her to be the unique person God created her to be.
Each of us struggle with something in life; motherhood, marriage, our family, our past, our health, our weight, our fears. The list goes on. We all have weaknesses that accompany our strengths. But, the more we live authentically, the more it will inspire others to do the same. This kind of living takes courage, but I believe that the more people see us with our flaws, our imperfect, our real; the more beautiful we become.
"We're not here to be perfect. We are here to be real – to let Christ be real in us." –Ann Voskamp
