The end of it and the beginning

My tree is done and down. Now on to getting clean and ready for the new year. In the following days, dust will fly, rags will get rung and loud rock ballads will be played.


As the new year approaches, I am excited and apprehensive. In less than 2 weeks l will be a full time college student. The excitement of it just has me bubbly some days. But this is my first year, I am also nervous. What if I fail? What if I'm not meant to go down this path?


But that is when I stand firm in my faith! I am a child of the One true God. He is my provider and my rock. I have prayed over this many, many times. I always have the same feeling of peace and blessing.


So the plan is to get my BA in Arts and my BA in Education. I am going to be an Elementary School Special Education Teacher. I have a passion for children and children with special needs. In today's society there is still a large need for people who love and support those with special needs and disabilities. I strongly believe that you are not your diagnosis! You are only restricted by what you to allow. (within reason)


I have witnessed the change in a child that was no longer kept in the confines of their diagnosis. When they were given the freedom to grow and reach, it is amazing! My prayer is to help other children have that ability. To reach and strive to break free of the box they have been put it!!!


Stay tuned for my adventure into college.
Later,


Erin

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Mid-Week Chat 2-4-15

It has been several weeks since I posted a Mid-Week Chat. My life has been a series of ups and downs for sometime now. I just got separated from my husband, only 1 month ago. I rung in the new year in a new home, new town and new state. 

But today it was placed on my heart to have our little chat and 

share with you some things that God has been doing in my life.

Moving forward is hard. Even when you feel like you can't do it, if you just let God have control and listen to His spirit, He will guide you and be with you. I am reminded of the poem Footprints.

All to often we forget that God is in control and never leaves us. 

The Bible say "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." Matthew 11:29 & 30

What a beautiful thing to rest in! He doesn't promise us no work or no burdens, but he does promise that with Him, it will be easier than if we go it alone. God is faithful! He has proven to me time and time again, that if I trust in him daily and be obedient, He will provide for me.

What has He done for you lately? How have you seen the provisions of God in your life?

Later,

Erin 

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2015? Already?!

Where has the time gone? It feels like just a few years ago it was 2005. Back in 2005, I was a newly wed, 6 months pregnant and had a 3 1/2 year old. Wow! What a difference 10 years makes!! Now here I am a separated, tubes tied, mother of 3 boys, ages 13 1/2, 9 and almost 15 months.

It amazes me at the changes in me as well. My patience hasn't gotten much better, I'm sad to say. As for my anxiety, that I do have better control of it...well, most days. By no means am I where I want or need to be, but as the song from my childhood says 'Kids under construction... The Lord might not be finished yet'.

I pray that as we venture into this new year, that we achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. As I previously posted, I have set for myself 3 resolutions. 

1. To stop all the yelling

2. To have daily quiet time with God

3. To take at least one photograph, every day for the next year.

I have already shared these in detail with you guys. To read that post click HERE!

Well you guys, I leave you with this little doodle that I have created in the front of my new Bullet Journal. Be on the look out in the next month for a post about Bullet Journals.

Later,

Erin

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In the Midst of Laundry

Somewhere there is peace to be had. I am desperately seeking peace. God finds us in the strangest places and in the midst of my laundry, is where He finds me. It feels like the laundry around here is never ending. So when I actually have time to sit and fold it, I feel relief and peace. It sounds strange, I know. But when you have 3 little boys, you find peace where you can.

My life over this past week has been so busy! It is often hard to find that time to sit and be still.
But I have come to find that it doesn't matter what your doing, You just have to be still in your spirit and listen. What does it mean to be still in spirit? It means to quite that never ending list of chores to do that you run down in your head. To stop playing a running dialogue inside. Be quiet. Trust me, I know how hard it is. When my mouth isn't running, my inside voice is still going.

Don't get me wrong. It is still very important to find daily time to spend with God. There is nothing as peaceful as sitting in a quiet space with your Bible and the Holy Spirit. I'm ashamed to say that, other than Saturday and Sunday, I did not take the time last week to be with God. Because of that, my week felt chaotic.

It is only Tuesday, so this week still has a chance! Will you pray with me for peace this week? Let us keep our daily time with God a priority. Find time for Him. Even if it is only 10 minutes while the baby sleeps. Find time for God and it will make all the difference.

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Mid-Week Chat 12/3/14

Hi you guys! I hope you are having a good week so far. I have come to a conclusion about our little mid-week chats. A new direction needs to be taken. It has been put it on my heart that I need to be in the Bible more. So I wanted to start sharing the Bible with you, during our mid-week chats.

 

For this week we are going to be reading Romans 8:18-39. The translation I am using is Holman Christian Standard. Just for a little background on the book of Romans. Romans was written by the apostle Paul. This book is a letter to the Romans, whom Paul refers to as "God's beloved in Rome."(1:7).


This section in my Bible is titled From Groans to Glory. Wow! What a statement that makes.
The very first verse of this section speaks volumes to me.

"For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." vs.18

What a statement! Even though they were suffering, the glory to come will FAR surpass the agony they are enduring. I believe with all my heart that God never changes. So considering what Paul is saying here, we can apply this to our sufferings in the current day.


This passage is speaking about eternally saving us, as well our present earthly adversity. Moving forward in the passage we are encouraged that the Holy Spirit comes to us. He comes to comfort and to help. Intercession is made on our behalf by Him when we have no words. It says that even He just groans and God understands.(vs.26-27) Such peace fills me to think that the Holy Spirit speaks on my behalf. The comfort that comes from the Presence of God can not be compared to anything I have ever felt.


The last section of this passage is speaking about how nothing can separate us from God's love. NOTHING!! He loves us so much that He sent His son to die!! I know that I can't never love someone so much that I would offer one of my children to save them. Not ever. Really wrap your mind around that. God offered His son to die for YOU!

If you haven't accepted Jesus as the Savior of the world and of you personally, Why not do it today? What are you waiting for? It is never too late!! Let me pray for you and me right now.


Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask you now that you speak to the person reading this. May you send your Holy Spirit to comfort them and let them know that you want to be in their lives. We ask for forgiveness of all our wrong doings and desire to turn from them forever. We know that you gave your son, Jesus as a living sacrifice for us. Please send your Holy Spirit down to us, for guidance and comfort. May we continue to be in your word daily and rest upon your promises.
Amen

Thank you for coming by and reading my Mid-Week Chat: Diving into God's word.

Later,
Erin

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New changes for the New Year

I have been trying to get my blog the way I want it for some time now. I finally got it! My new template is so pretty and I think the layout is just about right. There might be a few little tweaks still needed. But over all, I am truly pleased! Granted, I am as indecisive as they come sometimes, so don't get hooked on the way it looks. LOL

My blog isn't the only changes I am making this month. I am not one to make resolutions usually, but I do want to make a few this year. The thing is, these aren't just for 2015. I want to make permenint changes. There is only ONE way to do that....With GOD's help!

1.To Stop all the yelling!!: 

I yell at my kids WAY too much! I'm not a bad mom, but I know that I could be even better than I am. Yelling doesn't do anybody any good. I know this first hand, but yet I allow my temper to get the better of me. I want James 1:19 to be my 'motto'.

 2. To have daily quiet time with God: 

I don't know about you, but I am horrible about actually getting in The Bible DAILY. I pray daily and I look at Bible verses daily, but I don't study God's word daily. I know that if I allow God to be the first person I turn to in the mornings, my life will change! So for this year and beyond, I am dedicating myself to spending morning quiet time with God, EVERY DAY!

3. To take at least one photograph daily for the next year: 

Now this one is really just for 2015.(Or I might even continue on the next year.) I've been wanting to do this for sometime now. So this year will be the year. I have joined a website called 365Project. They have weekly themes, friendly competitions, Tips n Tricks and much more.

That's It folks. What are your resolutions going to be? What are your thoughts on resolutions? Please leave me comment. I would love to hear your opinion! 

Later,
Erin

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Our Advent Calender!

Hi there! I have been so busy!! I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was wonderful! We had lots to eat and great company.

The boys and I made an Advent Calender and I wanted to share it with you. While searching around Pinterest, I found this great  DIY Advent Calender.
Nicolette Roux with Powerful Mothering shared this wonderful Advent Calender with FREE printable! So we printed it out and colored it! It is already colored, but we don't have color ink. So we gave it our own special touch. Here it is!

I then made my own list of activities to go in each box. I wanted to also share with you my little cards. You can download them here: Advent Activity Cards. 

As well as us doing an Advent Calender, we are going to be doing a Bible Devotion every night. The one we are going to use is Let's Go Straight to Bethlehem by Dr. Ray Pritchard. 

It was published back in 2012. It is an E-book. I have it downloaded on my Kindle Fire. You can find it on Amazon or just Google it. I look forward to going through this walk with my little family! I pray that you find a devotion that is right for your family this year. 

Please leave me a comment down below and don't forget to subscribe!

Later,
Erin

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Mid-Week Chat 11/19/14

Hi there, y’all! I hope you are having a good week. Here is how my week has gone so far.

Sunday was a rough day for me. I went to bed Saturday feeling very dizzy. Then I woke up Sunday still feeling dizzy. I was dizzy all day. My 2 older boys helped me with the chores and the baby. They were big helpers that day.

Monday came and I felt back to normal. I’m not sure what was going on, but I am sure glad it is done! Feeling dizzy is the pits. Monday evening I folded about 4 loads of laundry and put it away. All except for the summer clothes and clothes that needed to be hung up.

Tuesday was a pain. My baby, Benjamin wouldn't nap unless he was laying on me. So I didn't really get much done. He did nap off of me for about 15 minutes. During that time I hung up the clothes from yesterday. I didn't get the summer clothes away. But I will. I also while he was playing, emptied a tote and got rid of unwanted craft stuff. (unwanted craft stuff? What’s that? LOL) I ended the day with hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows! Yummy!

Today I will be going to my oldest son’s school. He is participating in his school spelling bee. I’m so excite for him! He won second place in his class. So now it’s on to competing against the other students in 8^th grade. If he wins, next is county wide spelling bee. We shall see.

To wrap things up, I just wanted to leave you with these few Bible verses.

James 1:19-27 New International Version (NIV)

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

I know that I am quick to speak and to get angry and that is not good. I try so hard to embody this set of verses. I pray that today you can do the same.

Later,

Erin

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3 Bible Verses To Encourage

I don't know about you, but I need some encouragement from time to time. Well, basically daily. I just posted Sunday about being encouraged and I wanted to give you 3 Bible Verses to life your spirit and encourage you further.

Luke 17:6 
So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

This verse clearly states that with only a tiny amount of faith, you can achieve great things! How much more can we do, if we have faith bigger than a mustard seed?

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Psalms 84:11 
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

God will provide our every need and also give us good things if we strive to follow His will and commands! How great is that to think that God will never keep good things from us, if we just follow him!?

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Isaiah 43:2 
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God promises to be with you through your trials. He did not say you wouldn't have any trials, He just promises that He will be with you and that you will come through. Whatever the trouble you are having, you will come through. 

I pray that these few verses were just what you needed today!

Later,

Erin

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Be encouraged!

Right now in my personal life, I am having troubles. Stress is overwhelming me and my heart is breaking. But  for the last few days, God has been placing little things in my life to bring me comfort and peace. 

Today in church, we had a guest. He was talking to us about a ministry that needs help from us and how we can help. During his talk he mentioned something that encouraged me.

"When we do acts of kindness for others, we serve God." Marty Roberts

I have always known this. But today it struck me. When presented with the opportunity to do something loving or caring for someone that you don't like or are mad at, just think about the above quote. God sees you and all you do, even if others don't. That is what is most important over all. We also need to remember to not be like the Pharisees.

Luke 18: 9-14 

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."'

It is all too easy to want the attention that you think you deserve for good acts. We do something good for someone and we want them and/or others to notice. I didn't even realize that was what I had been doing for sometime now. I was being like the Pharisees. Doing good deeds for someone, just for the purpose of them noticing. Boy, did I have the wrong motives! Have you ever been there? Have you ever done something for someone, just for them to praise you?

So I guess today that quote spoke volumes to me. I didn't even realize how much until I started typing this post. But the initial thing it said to me was GOD SEES ME! He sees when I am loving, He sees when I'm humble. But in that be careful too. If you do not have a humble heart, you are falling into the same trap again. We must desire to do for The Lord because we want to serve and praise Him, without having ulterior motives. 

I don't know about you, 

but I want to be like the Tax collector! 

Later,

Erin 

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~~~ Good Morning! ~~~

I just wanted to share this with you. I hope you have a blessed day!

Later,

Erin 

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