Vote for me:)

A dear friend of mine emailed me this morning to say that I should sign my blog up on “Circle of Moms”.  They’re doing a vote for the Top 25 Faith Blogs by Moms.  Although it’s not something I would have signed up for on my own, I am honoured that she thought of me so I thought I may as wellJ.  If you’d like to vote for me, check out the link on the right.  You can vote once every 24 hours till June 8.  Thanks in advance if you choose to vote...and thank YOU for suggesting it...you made me feel really specialJ.

Prayer for a Friend

I just had to share this song.  It’s called “Prayer for a Friend” by Casting Crowns.  I’ve listened to it before, but hadn’t heard it in a while.  Nearly every time I hear it though, it brings tears to my eyes.  It automatically brings some very dear friends to mind...and speaks of my longing to bring them to my Father.  Not all the words fit exactly...there aren’t necessarily any “circumstances” or wrong decisions in...it’s just the whole tone of the song to me is a longing to bring those who are dear to our Father. 

I put my iPod on shuffle today & when this song came on tears immediately came to my eyes.  God has laid a number of friends on my heart in the last few weeks...who I’ve thought of nearly constantly...and today I prayed this song twice for them...lifting them up to Jesus!

Where I'm At...An Idea Stolen from my Beautiful Sister:)

10 things I'm grateful for...
...an amazingly supportive husband
...my kids
...an amazing church family
...my Christian heritage
...having parents (grandparents) living so close by
...amazing opportunities to create memories & learn with our kids because they’re home with me
...living in Canada
...memories my kids have with my grandparents
...that I was able to visit my dear friend Sheri in Mexico & get involved in their lives there
...a cousin who is willing to pray with me when I’m in the deepest depths...and allows me to do the same for her

9 things I miss...
...my sister-in-law & friend, Cheri who lives in Norway
...our wonderful friends, the Elliotts who are missionaries in Mexico
...Africa
...being in shape
...sweets...but Lent will be over soon enough
...having time for myself
...having all of our family (Ben’s & mine) living close by
...heading out west with Ben & the kids to enjoy the outdoors
...regular dates with my hubby

8 things I look forward to...
...visiting my grandparents
...going swimming with my big little brother
...making memories with my kids
...a visit with my friend Jodi
...a game night with my family when everyone is home
...being all together with Ben’s family & meeting my baby niece
...another chance to visit Beckie
...warmer days with no snow & spending more time outside

7 things I hope for...
...having the opportunity to watch our kids grow deeper & deeper in their relationships with Jesus
...being able to live close to my Auntie Debbie someday...and my cousin Beckie...at the same time...here in SundreJ
...the chance to take a photography course someday
...the courage & wisdom to listen & obey when God speaks
...a more reliable vehicle before winter
...the ability to see life through the eyes of a child
...being debt free

6 things I dream of...

... taking Ben & the kids to Africa

...having the money to travel with the kids

...being able to build our own house...out of town

...adopting a child from Africa

...becoming the wife & mom God intended me to be

...laughing & being completely in love with Ben when we’re old & grey

5 things I'm afraid of...

...losing Ben
...anything happening to my kids
...making wrong decisions

...carbon monoxide poisoning while driving
...a house fire

4 risks I'm glad I took...

...deciding (through tears & distress) to go out for “coffee” (tea) with Ben

...going to China for a month to babysit

...going on a missions trip to Mexico on short notice

...travelling on my own with the kids when Ben couldn’t get away

3 things I plan to never do again...

...text while driving
...say “yes” to too many things & therefore set myself up for a nervous breakdown
...break my ankle...or any other bones

2 things I dread...

...phone calls with creditors
...the day I don’t live close to Drew (my brother)

1 thing...
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions & in truth.”  I John 3:16, 18

Soul Surfer

On Friday afternoon I had the privilege of going to a movie on opening night!  I’m not sure that I’ve ever done that before.  I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Jodi & her kids to watch “Soul Surfer”.  It was so refreshing to see a movie that had no questionable content!  For those of you who haven’t heard about it, “Soul Surfer” is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenage girl who lost her arm in a shark attack.  I loved the healthy family & marriage relationships portrayed in the movie.  I loved the message portrayed that “I” am not the most important thing.  I loved the way the movie showed how the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives....when we are following Him, our lives become a testimony in themselves. 

I would definitely let Benjamin (9) see this movie...and I think that’s huge considering the VERY small number of new movies that I would let him see.  The only intense part is when Bethany is attacked by the shark.  If it weren’t for that I’d let Amanda & Kirby see it too (I still might & just take them out of the room for that part).  Anyway...all that to say that I’d highly recommend you go see it!!! 

Oh, one more thing...I LOVE biographies...so I also loved the fact that this was a true story...and that the movie showed pictures & video of the “real” Bethany at the end (I’d have to watch it back, but I think there was also home video at the beginning).  I came across this youtube video after I got home & loved being able to hear Bethany share her heart in her own words...check it outJ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjUbYx6ozic&feature=player_embedded

Struggle & encouragement

For those of you who read my blog & have wished I’d post more, it’s your lucky day...you get 2 blogs in one dayJ.  This spring has been an emotional rollercoaster for me.  With only one basement so far in 2011...we’ve been relying heavily on finding other work to try & pay the bills.  The key word here is try.  God has provided work for us in numerous ways.  We’ve also had numerous weeks with no work.  The combination of less work, working by the hour, & still being behind from last year because of the economy, has felt like a slow death.  It hits me in waves.  Some days I don’t think about it much & feel peace about it.  Other days I feel like I’m drowning.  Discouragement & hopelessness overwhelms me & I struggle to breathe.  I have been extremely thankful for friends who have helped hold me up on those days.  We definitely appreciate your prayers if God lays us on your heart.

Yesterday afternoon I was listening to music & when this song came on I couldn’t stop the tears from running down my cheeks.  I think it was God speaking directly to me & I just had to share itJ. 

Believe Me Now

Steven Curtis Chapman

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you

So believe Me now
Believe it's true

I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now 

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now

A side note...I believe this has been more of a struggle for me since I’ve started doing Lent with the kids.  A month ago I still had days when I struggled, but nothing like what it’s been lately.  I fully believe that Satan is not happy about us drawing closer to God & he’s doing whatever he can to stop it!