Sufficient Grace

"The Sprinkles of Life"  5) People are ALWAYS more important than things. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also."  6) Give people A LOT of grace. Remember how much the Lord has given you and how much you have been forgiven. Matthew 7:3-5 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 18:23-34 " Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certai...

Here are the promised pictures and an update from our birthday/homecoming/valentine's day celebration last weekend: Elijah intently working on the artwork for Daddy's Happy Birthday sign - the balloons say Happy Birthday - but you can't really see it...And don't judge my welcome home sign too harshly - I don't claim to be artistic, but Elijah was "helping" me so there are quite a few mistakes - so worth having his help though ;)  Again, not the most artistic or creative, but it was fun, colorful and celebratory nonetheless, and I was working on a short time frame :) I know, excuses, excuses - haha!  The desserts and Valentine's Day goodies - all of which turned out to be a success and quite yummy - yay!!   Our "fancy" table (we use our little table a lot because it is less work to set/clean and it is more fun for just the three of us sometimes) and dinner. And my amazing, handsome husband. Everything turned out well - it ...

"You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice - deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually : simple short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete ." I Thessalonians 5:17   - "Pray continually." John 16:24 (Amp) - "Up to this time you have not asked a (single) thing in My Name (as pertaining to all that I AM); but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and com...

I am feeling so thankful today. Elijah has been wonderful all day - a welcomed change compared to some earlier moments this week. I spent some quality time with Jesus this morning. I caught up with Downton Abbey - while enjoying tea and chocolate. I made some delicious looking Rosemary Chicken Lasagna to welcome my hubby home - TOMORROW - that is the best news of all, Ethan comes home tomorrow evening - I CAN NOT WAIT!! He has been gone since Saturday night and I have been kind of a mess missing him. At this point, though, I am glad I have until tomorrow evening, because I still have a few more things to prepare for his arrival.  I was SUPER sick beginning last Thursday evening - I don't know if I have ever been so sick. Not to sound too dramatic, but I thought I might die - haha, but seriously. I was throwing up about every 30min - 1hr for about 12 hours. I didn't know how I could keep throwing up since I was sure there was nothing left to throw up. I also had diarrhe...

I have had the blessing and privilege of attending a MOPs group at our church here in Cali. Yesterday was only the second meeting, but it was so good. Being able to get together with other moms and share stories, food and the Word of God (while someone else cares for our little ones) is such a nice treat. Especially since I am new to the area, I am loving the opportunity to simply fellowship with and meet other mommies. Not to mention that the "messages" have been really fitting and powerful, yet simple. The first week was about unlocking your potential - A GREAT message that I may take the time to share here on another day. But this week, a wonderfully sweet and beautiful elderly woman shared what she calls "The Sprinkles of Life". I didn't get a chance to actually talk to her much, but she was very poised and incredibly gracious and graceful. I wouldn't mind being like her when I am older. I wouldn't mind being like her now, but I think that kind of...

We went to the Barnes and Noble story time for toddlers this morning. It was our first time and since it is a good 20 minutes away and it starts at 9:30, just getting there on time was a feat for us (we like our slow leisurely mornings). Anyway, Elijah was excited and he sat still for all three stories. In fact he was extra snuggly which I loved. He was a little quiet and subdued, but sometimes being around a lot of new people can make him that way at first, otherwise he seemed like his normal self. After the stories, it was time for a craft. Elijah was too nervous to go up and get a coloring sheet for himself, so we were waiting for the other kids to go, and then I was going to go up front and grab one for him.  In the mean time, Elijah was standing really close to me looking at the kiddos behind us, all of a sudden I felt something really warm on my leg, before I realized what was happening Elijah threw up about 4 more times...Oh dear Lord! No warning at all. It was so sad. ...

Apparently, the above combination is a recipe for a crying fest, at least for this pregnant momma :) I was enjoying some me time after putting Elijah down for a nap. Catching up on some blogs and uploading and editing some photos. Enjoying one of my favorite snacks - apples and Nutella, as well as the rest of my coffee from this morning - I am surprised I didn't finish it, but I was SUPER happy to have half a cup of caffeinated coffee for a little pick me up this afternoon. Then one of my dear friends sent me a sweet text - just a "I miss you and I am thinking of you" kind of message, and all of a sudden I burst in to tears. It was just a little at first, but then it kept coming. I was sad, but it was a good cleansing cry at the same time. I don't know that I enjoyed the cry exactly, but it felt good and right and I felt better afterwards. I was crying about so many things. Crying because I am so utterly and completely amazed at my God and His faithfulness...