Love, Grace, and Mercy

Kids are awesome and amazing! I've been a mother now for over 7 years, and I'm convinced that children are the most wonderful of God's creations! Being a stay at home mom, I've been truly blessed! I love getting to be with my boys, and watch them grow, explore, play, question, and love life! Their innocence is very refreshing in today's sin polluted world. When I look at their little faces, it makes my heart melt! I love everything about being a mom. I would not trade being a mom for anything! I really feel that being a mom has been a true calling in my life. When I was younger, I always felt like I was searching for what would make me happy and content. I remember being very unhappy and miserable with my life that I was living. There was always something missing. I just didn't get how much I needed God in my life. Not some 1 day a week, show up at church to look good, never really surrender all kind of religion. I spent many years in vain, and made many poor choices. I would not change one day of my life. Every path I took has led me closer to finding what God had for me. I feel being a wife and mother has been the greatest blessing in my life.

I admit...there are days when I'm scrubbing the toilet or up all night with one of the boys...that sometimes I get weary! BUT...I would not trade my life with anyone. My husband and my boys are my life, and I'm completely proud of that statement. Sometimes being a stay at home mom, housewife, homemaker, teacher, CEO for a 7, 4, and 1 year old is not considered a popular choice in today's worldly standard! I'm not one to go along with the popular vote. (GO MCCAIN! Just a side note!! ) The vote that is most important to me is God's. I love teaching my boys about Jesus and His love, mercy, and grace. I personally know about all 3 of those things. I'm convinced I would not be here today, if it weren't for the love, mercy, and grace of my personal Saviour...Jesus Christ! I am so humbled that God would even consider saving a sinner such as I! There are days that I just am dumbfounded that God chose me. Why would He? It's amazing and unbelievable! I am so unworthy of his love, but yet He gives it to me freely with every breath I take. AMAZING!

I want to thank and praise my God for all the love and support He has given me through the years. There were times in my life, when I completely denied Him. I remember standing in service after service, and feeling Him knocking on the door of my heart. I kept that door slammed shut and locked, yet I was fearful of doing so. There were times I would not even go to church, because the moment I would walk into His sanctuary...I was under conviction. Trust me...not a good feeling. Imagine slamming the door in the face of the one who gave His life for you! I can't believe I did that for so many years. That would be my biggest regret, if asked.

I know this is a longer blog, but I can't apologize for it. I don't want the rocks to cry out for me! God has fulfilled my life, and is still doing so, more than I could ever imagine or dream. He knew my heart's calling of being a mother, and He gave me that precious gift three times! There is nothing more precious than seeing God's love reflecting back from the face of your child. The boys love Jesus and constantly are singing, talking, worshipping in their own sweet ways, and praying to the One who gave them life. It just does not get any better than this!

Please pray for my family and I. Lately God has been opening up many doors of witnessing and serving to our family. I teach 2nd grade Caravan this year on Wednesday nights. I have about 21 children each week. Many of the kids come from homes that do not know and accept Jesus. Please pray purposefully that the door of opportunity would open for me to share Jesus with these families. Also, I've been a teen leader at our church since the Spring. I just started teaching the Sunday evening lessons. I'm completely amazed and concerned about the challenges and issues today's teens are having to face. I remember being a teen myself, but I feel today's standards and society's lack of them are worlds apart. Today's teens are being exposed to a whole new world of sin at an earlier age. Their are teens in our school district that are pregnant and 12 years old. I cannot even begin to imagine what they must be feeling. I know many the teens in our group feel so much pressure from their peers. I also know many feel hopeless and lost. Yesterday was "meet at the poles", and we had about 50 students at the high school(and only 3 at the middle school). Many students walking by the poles called out profanities and basically mocked the teens praying there. My heart went out for them. Please pray for the continued passion in our teen group, and that God would use the teens for His glory. This Sunday, Jeremy and I are starting a church van run in the mornings. We have church vans that are not being used at our church on Sunday mornings. We have many children who want to go to church, and are looking forward to getting a ride. Please pray that this endeavour will bring opportunities to share Jesus with these families.

That's all folks.....I believe I've worn your eyes out with this one! :)