Something Is About to Happen

Do you ever have times in your life when you feel like you are wanting a change? You want something to "happen" but you don't know how to make "it" happen whatever "it" is. I've been feeling like I want changes in all areas of my life: relationships, health, spiritual, and family (this is the AWAKEN part that I wrote about earlier.) I feel those changes coming and all I know is that the Lord is up to something. After my ScreamFree Parenting class ended I felt lost. I knew we were about to join a small group and that after years of not being in a Sunday School class we were finally going to be able to spend some time with adults! I still felt lost. I wanted to do another class but it just wasn't time. The new year started, our small group started and I am really enjoying it. We have all bonded and i look forward to every week. In a couple of weeks I have to tell my "story". It's very emotional for me to talk about my past. It is not easy but I know it's the right time. There is a part of my "story" that has been on my mind for some time. Nothing I can share here-just on my mind and I may have to deal with this and don't know what that will mean. At about the same time, the Lord has led me to something else that I am praying about right now and it will be difficult. This probably sounds confusing but I just can't share it all right now.
Anyway, all these things add up to all these areas of my lfe that I want to see a change in. Over the next few weeks, I may not be blogging very much. I am spending a lot of time focusing on these areas of my life and I can't wait to report back with exciting news! So, to all 3 of you who read my blog-don't give up on me! I will be blogging some, just not very much. Pray for me-there is a lot going on in this already full and confused brain of mine!

Whatever You're Doing

Hit stop on my play list. Great song for the new year.

AWAKEN in 2009

I recently came across this song by Natalie Grant called AWAKEN. As I listened to it and looked up the words I realized how perfect it is for me right now. I think the pressure of 3 kids, busy schedule, not making time for myself, work, etc.. has just gotten to me. Let me pause right here and say that I know I am so blessed. I have a wonderful husband, great kids, great job/ministry, wonderful friends and family. I know all that, I've just found myself in a different place right now. One that I am not used to. I want to embrace this new phase of my life-teenager, last child will enter all day school in August-just a different place. I have decided to focus on three things this year:
1) AWAKEN to a passion for Jesus and my family. Enjoy life more!
2)Committed to exercise, eating healthy, tighter budgeting.
3) Determined to spend time on myself and my marriage (date nights and time away).

I am also praying about something else that I will share at a later date. For me, the new year begins AFTER the kids get back in school and we are back on a routine. It gives me time to reflect, make plans, and pray! Here's to a great 2009 for all of us! Let me know how I can pray for you!


AWAKEN
Sometimes I feel like, I'm just existing.
I'm not really living.
I'm only watching, the time slip away.
I've forgotten who, I am in You.
I'm not who I'm meant to be, no.
I'm drifting farther away from my, destiny

Awaken my heart, awaken my soul
Awaken Your Power and take control
Awaken the Passion to live for You, Lord
Awaken me, Hoooey

My Soul is longing, my heart is searching,
I'm desperate for You to move,
give me a hunger, pull me closer...
I'm crying out to You

Awaken my heart,
Awaken my soul,
Awaken Your Power and take control,
Awaken the Passion to live for You,
I want to live for you.

Awaken my heart, oh!
Awaken my soul,
Awaken Your Power and take control,
Awaken the Passion to live for You, Lord.

Open my eyes, so I can see Your presence
Dwelling inside.
Wake me up, 'cause I can't live another minute,
If I'm not shining... Your light.

Awaken my heart,
Awaken my soul,
Awaken the Passion,
In me... Ooh...Yeah
Awaken me

(Chorus x2)
Lord, awaken me, to live my destiny.
Lord, awaken me and shine Your light through me.
Lord, awaken me, to live my destiny.
Lord, awaken me and shine Your light through me.

Awaken my heart,
Awaken my soul,
Awaken your Power and take control,
Awaken your Passion,
to live for you,
to live for you... Yeah, yeah, yeah

Wake me up Lord.
Give me your passion, Jesus.

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Yates

Saturday, December 27th my sister-in-law married Jay Yates. This is an incredible story of God's love for two people that have been through a lot! David and I have know Jay for about 18 years. We were in the singles together at Rehoboth Baptist Church. Over the years we lost touch and several years ago his children started going to Loganville Christian Academy (where Debbie teaches). Unfortunatley, after a battle with cancer, his wife passed away. My sister-in-law Debbie also went through a difficult divorce about that time. Last year Debbie was Jay's daughter, Jessica's teacher. The rest is history. We are so happy to have him, Johnny, and Jessica in our family and are looking forward to the years to come.

Christmas 2008

Nana and PaPa with the kids.


Jenna and Angel.


all the kids with Jessica and Johnny. The "new" cousins.


Christmas Eve at Oasis.

Christmas seems like a blur for me. With a new puppy and a wedding on the 27th it was a little crazy. Our internet went down on Christmas Day but I would not have had time to post anyway! We always enjoy Christmas Eve services and this year we went with Debbie to Oasis. For just a moment before the services I stepped away to just try and focus. After hardly any sleep the night before I just needed a few minutes. I ended up in the nursery and God really spoke to me there. Everything was clean, sanitized, beds waiting, boucy seats, etc.. Jesus did not have any of that. Just a manger that was far from sanitized. Why do we celebrate Christmas the way we do was my thought? I have thought about this year after year. Jesus had nothing but we feel it's not a good Christmas if we don't give the perfect gift! After the service began and about 600 people sang the most powerful song, "O Holy Night" (my favorite), the pastor spoke on Christmas from the eye of the inn keeper. Just what the Lord had spoken to me about in the nursery. He opened his barn to the saviour and didn't even know it. Are we opening our lives to the saviour and recognizing what He has done for us? It was very powerful and I came away from there with lots of ideas for next year. I hope I will follow through with them! Santa came Christmas Eve with our new puppie, Angel. Everyone was totally shocked! Christmas day was fun opening presents, playing with the puppies, and celebrating with our new members of the family-Jay, Jessica, and Johnny. The kids all got what they wanted: Jacob, a new air soft gun; Jared, a Razor Power Wing scooter; and Jenna, a Nintendo DS (from NaNa and PaPa). When I step back and think about this Christmas I realize how very blessed we are. God has been so good this year.

Our Little Angel

Tuesday night Jenna's school had their Christmas performance. The title of the performance was Let's Dress Up For Christmas. She had the part of an angel. It was such a good performance and her part was precious. Her lines were:
"Wake up, I've got good news." and
"Glory in the highest cause peace has come to all."

It's amazing how God can speak through little children. Our pastor shared a message on reconciliation that was very powerful. He shared how Christmas can be a tough time of year for so many people especially when families get together. Sad, but true. We must remember that a baby was born long ago to bring peace and reconciliation to the world. It's also the perfect time to remember:

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST CAUSE PEACE HAS COME TO ALL!"

Friday was Jenna's Christmas party and, as usual, there was a lot of food and fun. Her class is so precious.

Dear God....

On the way home tonight from Jenna's Christmas performance just out of the blue she asked if she could pray. I had to write this quickly so I would not forget. I said of course and this is what she said:

J-"you don't have to close your eyes Mom (I was driving) but Jared does."
M-Ok Jenna
J-"Dear God. Thanks a lot. Thanks for sending your son Jesus so that we can all be together."

Jared-"What do you think would have happened if Jesus had not come." A big discussion followed that one.

We have had 2 days of 3 kids bickering and fighting and I was at the end of my rope! We had a TERRIBLE evening leading up to the performance. Daddy at the fire station, trying to get everyone fed, kids fighting at the table. What had we done to raise such children? Shouldn't we be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas here people!? I don't want a 13 year old anymore-I want my sweet child back! You know how we do as parents. Guilt, guilt, guilt. What a gift God gave me on the way home. What a gift He gave me through a child's Christmas performance. A great message by Pastor Jimmy on reconciliation (more on that later). "A little child shall lead them..."

Pictures coming soon....