VP Nominee

WAHOO!! We finally have something to be excited about as Republicans. The VP nominee is awesome. First, she is a mom with a newborn. She is beautiful and conservative. She is very sharp and feminine and great to watch. I was very impressed. I am so impressed with her and very excited. Finally, I am relieved and a bit hopeful. She is top notch and I can't wait to see how this all plays out.
Here we go!

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sarah Palin:

1. Sarah Louise Palin (nee Heath) was born Feb., 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Her family moved to Alaska when Sarah was an infant. Her father, Chuck, is a retired schoolteacher.

2. She attended Wasilla High School where she played point guard on the state champion basketball team. Her nickname was “Sarah Barracuda.”

3. Palin graduated in 1987 from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism. She worked briefly as a sports reporter in Anchorage.

4. She refers to her husband, Todd, as the “First Dude.” He’s worked as a commercial fisherman and as a production operator on the North Slope for BP. He enjoys snowmobiling and has won the Tesoro Iron Dog, billed as the world’s longest snowmobile race, four times.

5. Palin and her husband have five children, Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig. Trig, born in 2008, has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her son Track joined the army in 2007.

6. Her favorite meal is moose stew.

7. She comes from a family of outdoor enthusiasts. Her parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, enjoy hunting and fishing, and have both completed marathons.

8. Palin was named Miss Wasilla in 1984 and was a runner-up for Miss Alaska. In 1996 she was elected mayor of Wasilla.

9. She’s a lifetime NRA member and enjoys hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.

10. Elected in 2006, she’s Alaska’s first female governor and the youngest governor elected in the state.
--James Pethokoukis

How Do You Do It All?

You don't. I have quickly come to realize that you can't do it all. No matter how hard you try. We can't do it all well. I am sure many of you already know this. I sort of did but now I really know it! So far this week two of us have had the stomach flu and now I am searching for a house cleaner. I just can't do it all.

When life is manageable, it is easy to forget that when we are weak, HE is strong. I have come to know this truth very intimately this week. God has worked out so many little details to just get us through the week. I have also realized that He is more than strong even when we aren't at our best. I haven't had near the time to do my bible study, study word meanings, or extended devotion time (some days, it is daily bible reading on lunch break in the car) But thankfully, I am learning that His strength doesn't depend on me. I have always known this but usually I am doing all the things that a good, little christian should so I never really put it to the test as I have this week.

But what a relief, sweet relief. I know that my actions don't change Him. How awesome is that! He is so good to me, even when I am not as good back. I can't tell you what that does to my heart right now!

This Week

This week is the birthday of Jake's seven years in heaven. On August 26th, 2001 Jake went to heaven.

I was so excited to get pictures in the mail of the playground that is dedicated to Jake. He loved being at church and thought of it as his second home. This playground is located at our old church in Albuquerque, NM. He loved playing in the children's area at our church. The weekend after he died, all the nursery workers went barefooted to honor him. He ALWAYS took off his shoes.

I know how much his life impacted me and so many others. It is great to have a playground in honor of him. He deserves it!

Obama

This needs to be seen. Obama is making fun of and mocking the Bible.

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=4FCNKwHRCQM&rel=1&eurl=&iurl=http%3A//i1.ytimg.com/vi/4FCNKwHRCQM/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskLdBb_XqSIQjZNmMrJQ0G_F&use_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1

I AM

I AM . . . a newly working mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter.

I WANT . . . my kids to grow up to love the Lord deeply and fully.

I WISH I COULD . . . Teach my kids what I had to learn the hard way.

I HATE . . . cold weather.

I FEAR . . . I won't be a great mom.

I HEAR . . . my kids talking when they are supposed to be going to sleep.

I SEARCH . . . the internet often.

I DON'T THINK . . . I can pass this HUGE license test I have to take on Thursday.

I LOVE . . . my family.

I DANCE . . . No, I don't dance.

I SING . . . in the car, shower.

I NEVER . . . want to live where it snows and is cold all the time. Can you tell I am dreading the quickly approaching winter?

I RARELY . . . like the snow.

I AM NOT ALWAYS . . . in the best of moods.

I REGRET . . . some decisions I have made.

ALWAYS CRY . . . watching Steel Magnolias.

I NEED . . . lots of sleep.

I SHOULD . . . be studying for HUGE test.

I HOPE . . . to always take up the cross and follow Him. (I stole this answer from my sister)

Trust

Do we really trust God? I know that I do for certain things - I trust him for my salvation, for eternity. But do I trust Him with my kids safety and well being? How about when I am not there to "control" certain aspects of their lives that I have previously been able to control, or to think I am controlling. God is really showing me how little I do trust Him. What am I scared of? Oh, the list can be long and endless. But I know that God wants what is best for my children. He won't let them go. He is more determined than I am for them to make Him the love of their lives.

I was listening to James McDonald this morning and he was talking about wrestling with God for our family. I learned so much from what he had to say about the text. He was talking about how gentle God was with Jacob to wrestle with him all night - one touch and God could have killed him. Yet, he wrestled with him, waiting for him to surrender. When Jacob wouldn't surrender, God touched him and broke his hip. The longer we wait to surrender, the harder the break is going to be. This is the hard part, God will wrestle gently with us and our kids but eventually, if we don't surrender, He will break us.
However, after the break, He blessed Jacob. God is longing to bless us but He wants our surrender first. I can rest knowing that God with wrestle with me and my kids until He gets our surrender. I rejoice in this, that He will continue pursuing until He gets our complete surrender.

I am scared of what He might have to do to get my kids' total surrender - I know how He had to break me and it wasn't pretty, but in the end, the final result of the surrendered life is more than worth the breaking.
I pray today that my kids would stop wrestling with God. They would fully surrender to Him. I pray that He would use the trials of this world that they encounter to surrender to Him. I pray that I would simply trust Him, that He will use each experience to grow them close to Him.

Our total surrender - let's give Him that today!

Crock Pot Recipes

In light of my new job and school starting, I thought it would be fun to share our favorite crock-pot recipe.

Here is one of mine:
Southwestern Pulled Pork
2 cans of chopped green chili
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 lg. sweet onion, thinly sliced
1/2 c. chili powder
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. dried oregano
1 boneless pork loin roast
Flour tortillas
Toppings: sour cream, shredded lettuce,tomatoes, chips
In crock-pot, combine chili's tomato sauce, BBQ, and onion, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Add pork and cook on low 8-9 hours.
Remove pork, when cool enough - shred pork
Return to crock-pot and heat through
Serve on tortilla's
Enjoy!

New Things

Well, speaking of new things, God is doing lots of new things in our household. First, Jackson will be going to preschool for the first time. This will the first time I have ever left him on a daily basis. He is very excited and can't wait to go to school like his big brother! He has been waiting a long time. I have also gotten a new job that I will start this Friday. I am excited, scared, nervous, and relieved all at once. God has provided for us in so many ways and this is just the next phase in our journey with Him. We are not sure of much but that God is leading and guiding us every step of the way. Please continue to pray for us. We always need it. Drew will start middle school this year. I am still not sure what to think about that. I have one going to preschool and one off to middle school.

Another piece of news that I am so excited about is that I got both teachings for retreat written out. They both need some "extras" and some cutting but God was faithful to get it on paper before I started my new job. I am excited to see what God is going to go do through this weekend at retreat. I have already learned so much from just studying. He is so faithful! I am amazed at how gracious He continues to be to me.

Steven Curtis Chapman

We went to the Colorado Rockies game on Sunday and Steven Curtis Chapman was there for a after game concert. It was the most amazing concert I have ever been to. He came out and was very open and honest about his pain and grief. He started the concert singing "Blessed be Your Name." I cried the whole way through it. Both of his sons were there and playing with him. There are just no words to describe the glory the Lord received from that.

It was a privilege to even be there. At times it felt like we were watching their personal worship time. Other times, with hands raised, we were all singing "How Great is our God" as loud as we could. He spoke of his daughter often and how much he missed her. It was heart breaking and faith building all at the same time. It wasn't a concert, it was a testimony of who God is.
I am amazed how God can take our pain in this world and use it for His glory. I know that to be true and have seen Him do it my own life. However, it was good to glimpse in the lives of others, in the midst of their pain and see God work. It was so evident the work the Lord is doing. I am thankful for the gentle reminder.

How easily we can all forget how much God is working today. How easy it is to get discouraged and depressed when we look around our world at the pain and suffering. He is moving in a mighty way. He is doing a HUGE work. He is so good!

Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Must See!

Here is a link to watch Steven Curtis Chapman and his family being interviewed on Good Morning America.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5519704&page=1

I was so glad to see them and hear how they are doing. Let's not forget to pray for them. The grief process is long and very hard!

Hello!

What a busy weekend and already busy start to the week. Brad and I got away for the night in Denver and it was fabulous. The first thing I did when I got to the hotel was turn the AC way down, closed all the blinds, and took a nice long nap. Brad was leading worship for a church there and we had a great time. It was neat to see be in another church and see what all they are doing. Plus, it was wonderful to have some alone time with Brad. We went to eat Mexican food with friends at 10:30, I slept in, and just hung out together. It was great and I was blessed by no snow like the last trip home from Denver. I even took a side trip to the outlet malls but decided they are way more expensive than my occasional Target and JCPenny finds. I left empty handed.

I have lots going on this week, some things that could change our family a bit. We are praying through what God wants, would you pray for us. I don't mean to leave you hanging on the details but . . . we are still praying and you know how that goes. Also, our women's retreat is coming up real soon and I am teaching two sessions. I am hoping to get it all written out this week, that is my prayer right now.

Anyway, I just wanted to catch you up a bit on what is going on with us. I hope that all is well with y'all!
Much love!

Acceptable Sacrifice

I was reading in Philippians 3: 14-19 for my Bible reading this morning and thought this was an interesting part of scripture. Paul is talking about the gifts they gave him and sent him aid when needed. He says, "not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more, I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

I thought it was interesting that he said credit your account . . . . wonder what that means? Heaven, do we have an account? Or was it the church’s "account" with Paul. Of course, commentaries disagree. I do know that we will be rewarded in heaven for what we do here on earth. He is watching and keeping account of those deeds.

But the best part is how our gifts to others are a fragrant offering, acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. The fragrant offering here is also used in Ephesians 5: 2 of Christ's offering of Himself. There is definitely a correlation with God being pleased with us and our giving and sacrifice of ourselves. I really don't think we as Christians grasp how important this truth is. I sure don't. I have missed the mark many time of my acceptable sacrifice to Him. It is often the last thing I want to do - give of my resources to help others in need or give of myself for others.

Then, he ends with how God will supply all our needs. I think it is interesting how he ties it all together. Our gifts to others are pleasing to God and He will meet all our needs. He will not only bless us out of or from His bounty but in accordance with it: according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I desire to receive His blessing according to His great riches, I know you do too. Let's pray today that God would reveal the needs of others to us that our lives might an acceptable sacrifice.