Filling My Toolbox

Here is the scene.  Brown chair and ottoman in the sunroom.  A laptop computer.  A bag of fall Reese's miniature candies in cute fall colored foil .  A 3-page single spaced paper due soon.  Real soon.  That's my world this evening.  In the background I hear Elise jamming out to some music.  I stop and dance with her on the way to the printer.  Grab my papers.  Dance with her across the living room and back to my chair I go.  I have been at this for 5 semesters now. 

Filling my toolbox.

"The Lord is my strength and song,..."

Exodus 15:2a

A couple of years ago at a Beth Moore Living Proof Live in Little Rock, AR, Beth's message on "What it takes to fulfill our ministry" confirmed so much of what God was doing in my life.

Beth Moore, Little Rock, 2011

Beth posed the question:

What would it take to be excellent

at what God has called me to do?

  Don't you just love when God does that?  It's like He is talking to you solely.  Her second point is what hit home for me: ACQUIRE the Appropriate Tools.  I had talked to Warren already about my thoughts to go back to school.  It wasn't just to have a degree, add stress to my life, or make money.  It was to have the "tools" necessary to go and do and be wherever God led.  If He wanted to take us to the deepest parts of India or the bush of Africa, I had "tools" that He could use.  If He wanted to send us as church planters one day, I had a "tool" He could use to reach families.  If He wanted to place me in a school to love children and their families (which I absolutely love and have for so many years!) , I was able.  I had the "tools."  And trust me, this "tool" has been costly and a sacrifice to obtain with a full time job and family.  The bags under my eyes don't lie.  But I will be honest, even now, in the thick of 18 hours of school work and working full time, I never cease to be amazed at how God brings me through day to day and week after week.  Alive.  Well.  Succeeding.  Blessing me with opportunities to talk about Jesus.

"My hope is in Thee."

Psalms 39:7b

He is always adding "tools" to my toolbox.  Just this past week I picked up passport papers for my family.  We have no plans.  No open doors.  A great interest.  But if He does open a door to an overseas mission trip opportunity, I want to be ready.

"And He said to them,

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Mark 16:15

I want to "live" in front of my children the message we surrendered to the Lord as a family almost 15 years ago.  Whenever and whatever God.  We are our yours. 

"Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

Deuteronomy 7:9

So, I continue packing my toolbox with Bible Studies that challenge me daily to share Christ.  They press me to pray without ceasing and know the great I Am.  I will learn to love Hebrew and Greek words and how to keep idols out of my life.  I will pass up really cute hair when necessary,  in order to sit before His throne in that brown chair every morning.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

that the man of God may be adequate,

equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

I want my toolbox packed with whatever tool He leads me to, so His ways can be made known.  Until that day.

 

"I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the course,

I have kept the faith;"

2 Timothy 4:7

*By the way, I left 4 of the candies in the bag.  I didn't want Warren to think I ate the whole bag :)

Stray Dogs and Toilet Paper

I love non-fiction books.  I love biographies.  When I was Ethan's age, Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley was my favorite book. I also love encouragement books, how-to books, and devotional books of all kinds.  This summer I have read many books and hope to share some of those good book finds with you later this week.  But I am so very excited to share with you one of the best books I read this summer.  This book first came to my attention when a friend retweeted  a quote by this author on Twitter.  I became interested in finding out more about Ann Voskamp.  As I dug into some information about her, I found out she had a gorgeous book called one thousand gifts.

With school and school this past semester, I had no time to dig into it once I had purchased it from Lifeway.  But the book stayed on my mind.  I would read the book cover, inside cover, and even scan it every once in awhile.  I was really excited to dig in.  Did I mention the cover is super cute?

All during the month of May, I thought about what this book held inside it.  I knew it had to do with thankfulness.   I began to think about the gifts God gives our family.  Things we rarely appreciate anymore because we don't take the time to notice or even realize they are a gift.  That's when I got the bright idea.

The day we arrived back from our Texas trip to visit my dad, we started our 20 day project.  Every day that we were at home, for 20 days, I placed 10- 1x2 inch strips of paper on the counter for each family member.  When they climbed out of bed, their "thankful" papers would be waiting for them on the counter. They would then crumble them up and drop them in the jar sitting on the shelf in the kitchen.  At the beginning, I won't even lie, Ethan and Tyler were not so sure about this little project of mine.  Ethan was not too keen about having to think of 20 things he was thankful for and having to write them on the paper.  For at least the first 5 days it was the same dad, mom, sis, bro, dog, water, toilet paper, .........for Ethan. Tyler's tended to be a little one track minded at the beginning too.  Running and sports seemed to be his choice for "thankfuls."  Even Dick Vitale showed up on one of his "thankfuls."   Elise was a little more into it.  She was very descriptive with her "thankfuls."  I even noticed some texting lingo coming out in hers!

At the same time we started the "thankful" papers, I began the journey of reading the book with the cute cover that had stirred this idea in me.  This book was a little difficult to read.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it past the poetic and large vocabulary writing.  But as I kept reading, the more I was drawn in.  The words began to jump off the pages at me.  I could only handle the thoughts of one chapter a day.  The word Euchariesto grabbed my heart.  Thankfulness.  Throughout scripture we find the importance of thankfulness.  The gospels are full of  gratitude.  Paul learned the importance of thankfulness.  Thankfulness.

"And give thanks for everything

to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:20

 

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back,

praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him-

and he was a Samaritan."

Luke 17:15-16

 

"magnify Him with thanksgiving."

Psalm 69:30

 

"My soul doth magnify the Lord."

Luke 1:46

 

"(Daniel) prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God."

Daniel 6:10

 

First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him."

I Timothy 2:1

Oh, how thankfulness changes our perspective.

 

 

  About halfway into writing 10 "thankfuls" a day and dropping them in the jar, I had an idea.

 

 

After the 20 days were up, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby for a very large frame.  I cut a taupe colored mat the size of the frame.  I attached a sheet of paper with a verse, quote, and date to the center of the mat.  I also printed a picture of our jar, filled to the brim with thankfulness.

 

At first, I was convinced I could get all 1000 thankfuls on the mat.  My family did not agree.  I worked morning and evening for 2 days straight trimming, pasting, and putting together what I envisioned to be a really neat project.

As I unwrapped each of the "thankfuls" that had been stuffed in the jar, my heart would melt.  I had no clue how special this project  would be.  I had not imagined how beautifully the heart of my family would be poured out on these small pieces of paper.  No clue what  treasure laid in that jar.



 

 

My family was right.  All 1000 gifts would not fit on my mat.  I had to cover every inch of the mat and even spill over to an 8x10 frame.  I cannot even explain to you how moving these frames are.  Thankful. 

One act of thanksgiving,

when things go wrong with us,

is worth a thousand thanks when things

are agreeable to our inclinations.

~Saint John of Avila

 



 

Last night I hung the large frame and small frame.  It's hung in a place that we pass as we are hurrying out the door everyday.  I pray that these frames will stop us at times and remind us to be thankful.  For everything.  For every circumstance.  In little and in much.  In times of contentment and in times of change. 

 

Thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life.

~Ann Voskamp

 

 

 

Thankfulness helps us to believe, to forgive, to see, to heal, to fill, to be joyful, to make life full and large.

 

Thankfulness.

1.Rascal (the stray dog at our house for 2 days)

2.toilet paper

3.food

4.memories and dreams

5.When Tyler plays with his brother and sister

6.dying on the cross

7.calendars to schedule things

8.places we can call home and family

9.laughter of our children

10.eggs

11.toothbrush

12.a smokin' hot wife

13.light switches to turn the lights off and on

14.ability to forgive

15.hand sanitizer

16.Jesus

17.Thanksgiving on the mountain

18.white swing

80.serving the Lord as a family

164.grass

212.Arkansas Razorbacks

323.Hooten's magazine

433.wasp spray

567.my mom's opinion in different occasions

639.hair detangler spray

744. fires in the fireplace in winter

888.years I had with my mom

902.family dinners.

998.another day to wake up

999.firefighters

1000.summer Bible studies with my man

 

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

His faithful loves endures forever.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights-

His faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 136:3-7









liberty and freedom

It was three years ago this past April that I woke up with a very heavy heart. I knew exactly what needed to be done. I walked into the living room where Warren was drinking his coffee and rather than saying 'Good Morning,' I proclaimed 'today is the day.'  I had tossed and turned all night and knew it was time.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way
which you should go;

I will counsel you with My eye upon you."
Psalm 32:8

A relationship in our lives was broken. Severed. Disunited. The events surrounding the broken relationship was confusing and really there was nothing at the heart of it. Just some feelings hurt. But it was a broken relationship. My husband, kids , and own heart were heavy everyday because of this broken relationship.  I am sure it was even affecting ministry and the church.

It was on that morning 3 years ago that I had my Esther moment. Not the beauty part. Not the Queenie part. The Courageous part. My people needed me. The 4 people in my house needed me to be courageous. I had to put aside my fear and pride because something way more important was at stake. 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I dread?"
Psalm 27:1

That day I searched the scriptures like I never had before. This broken relationship had produced silence for almost 4 years now. The broken relationship caused so much to be missed out on for both parties involved. My three kids were missing the memories.  Warren and I were finding ourselves making excuses, making intentional opportunities to avoid this relationship, and become somewhat numb to the fact this relationship needed repair.   But I was SO SCARED! In fact, scared may have been an understatement. Terrified. Terrified of their reaction to me, scared of the humbling I may have to take, and nervous about the road from here.  I have to admit, I was a  little prideful as well. But God quickly reminded me who I was in HIM and what our family had been called to.

"...To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives,

And freedom to prisoners..."
Isaiah 61:1

How can we do that when we are prisoners to a very binding broken relationship?

How can we tell others how to be set free and find liberty in Christ when we have chains of a hurtful relationship always on our minds?

"Now all these things are from God,
who reconciled us to Himself through Christ,
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..."
 2 Corithians 5:18

There was only one thing to do. Call. Make that call. I couldn't completely serve, love, and honor the Lord with this broken relationship in our lives.

 

"If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar,

and there remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your offering there before the altar,

and go your way;

first be reconciled to your brother,

and then come and present your offering."
Matthew 5:23-24

So I made the call and the rest is history. Praise the Lord history. Thanks upon thanks history. God is sooo good history. Humbled like never before history.  I mean it was very humbling. 
 

Why was this so important for me to do? Jesus. Simply Jesus.  Jesus.  His kingdom.  Sharing HIS good news. Salvation. Healing.  Oh, the healing.

But it was also important for generational changes. Doing things different. Our children. Being a family who is on mission together.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God,

He is God,
the faithful God,

who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness

to a thousandth generation with
those who love Him and keep His commandments;"
Deuteronomy 7:9

So a stone was laid that day 3 years ago on April 28,2010. The stone of God's faithfulness. I don't want to forget what His faithfulness and goodness is. I don't want Tyler, Ethan, or Elise to forget what it is. The stone is also a reminder to forgive, be forgiven, be humble, without bitterness, love, serve, and do whatever you can to be reconciled with others. That's what ministry is all about.

"Let this be a sign among you,

so that when your children ask later;
saying,

'What do these stones mean to you?'

then you shall say to them,..."
Joshua 4:6-7a

 

Mirror image

I have a girl in my house with two older brothers.  Two older brothers who constantly challenge Elise to math questions, free throw tournaments in our driveway, and sun flower seed contests.  She is taught by these boys the best teams in NBA, stats in MLB, and how to draft fantasy teams in NFL.
She is in a constant battle between being wrestled by Ethan and her heart being wrestled with the often reminder from me, "gentle and quiet spirit." (I Peter 3:4a)

Of course Cutie Patooties is Elise and my team :)



Tyler and Ethan are best friends to the core right now in life.

 Tyler takes Ethan everywhere he goes.  They lay in bed or on the floor watching superhero movies, Andy Griffith, or John Wayne most nights.  They love to wrestle each other.  I am not sure the wrestling is going to last much longer though, Ethan is growing fast, real fast. They camp together, grab Sonic together, and Tyler has been known to post Ethan as his #mcm (man crush Monday) on Instagram.

All three of these kids are so different, yet impact each other more than any other.  I hear Tyler stepping on Ethan's toes about choices.  Ethan will work with Elise on the proper way to catch a baseball many afternoons.  Tyler and Elise push our family to memorize scripture.  They work together, fuss together.... a lot, forgive each other, and play together. 

Not too long ago my dad (aka GT or Grandpa Texas), the kids, and I visited Lake Meredith in the Texas Panhandle.  I asked them to take a picture with GT.  This lake holds many memories for my dad.  There in front of me were 3 (almost) young adults.

 

 

 I promise it was just yesterday that they were young and I couldn't wait for them to GROW UP!

 Let me say, I didn't have to wait for that to happen.  Moments like these (and I have them quite frequently) stir up such an urgency in me. 

Am I doing all I can to teach them to walk in HIS ways? 

 

A crazy sense of double dose of Jesus down your throat kids starts to take over.  I feel the complete urge to pick up the gazillion parenting books I have and learn more ways to make sure they walk in HIS ways forever and ever.

My summer reading pile....

 

But as I read Deuteronomy 6,  God beautifully lays out a plan to raise children that walk in His ways.  It starts with our hearts.  I have read this passage probably a million times and never noticed the command for us personally.  Before we ever start the talking with our children, we have a command as parents from God.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with

all your heart and with

all your soul and with

all your might.

And these words, which I am commanding you today,

shall be on your heart;"

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

It is then, when our hearts are set on HIM, we can talk about Jesus.  And it will come naturally.

It is when Jesus is our love.  Our priority.  Our reason for being.  Our purpose.  Our vision.  Our goal.

Our children will get it. 

"Know therefore that the Lord your God,

He is God,

the faithful God,

who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness

to a thousandth generation

with those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

We won't have to shove awkward conversations down their throats.  We won't have to wonder what to say. We won't have to depend on someone else teach our kids about Jesus.  Our kids will get it.  When we are head over heels in love with Jesus. 


I absolutely love my man.  I could talk to you all day about Warren.  You ask, I could tell you how awesome he is.  This is because I spend time with Warren, love him with all I have, desire him, and want to do everyday of life with him.  Talking to you about him would not be awkward.  You would know from my actions and words, if necessary, that he is who I am crazy about.  We text and  talk on the phone when we are apart.  I cannot even imagine going a day without some kind of communication with him. 

When we love God , like the command gives in Deuteronomy, it will be like that.  But even more so.  Talking about God will be natural.  Spending time with Him will be natural.  Knowing what His Word says will be natural.  Because we have that close relationship.  It will be something we desire.  It will be something we will talk about. 

When we love God with every aspect of our lives, that love will guide our parenting.  The choices we make for our home. 

Music.
Movies.
Speech.
Attitudes.
Habits.
Relationships.
Rules and Boundaries.
Purchases.
Activities.
Church.
Friends.
Thoughts.
Actions.

"and you shall teach them diligently to your sons

and shall talk of them when you

sit in your house and when you

walk by the way and when you

lie down and when you

rise up.

And you shall

bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall

be as frontals on your forehead.

And you shall

write them on the doorposts of your house and

on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

 

 

 

 

My devotion and love to the Lord is directly related to my children's love for the Lord and His ways.

 

It's time to seek the Lord like never before.  Every time I blink, they grow a little faster.

 

My children, my future grandchildren and generations after are counting on me to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to keep His commandments (Deut. 7:9). 

 

 

Parents, let's set our hearts on Him!  Warren and I are cheering you on as we raise these kiddos together up in the Lord!

Been here long enough

Confessions of a MIA blogger:

 

While in Borger visiting my dad in May, I noticed a piece of metal in the tire of our suburban.  Knowing I had many miles of  travel to get home, I had it checked out.  Super nice guys at the tire shop, I would totally recommend the place if you are ever in Borger (I don't expect a phone call anytime soon).
While sitting and waiting for the tire to be looked at, I watched many people come in and out of the door.  The floor caught my attention.  Obviously it was an older floor.  Many years on it.  And very worn.
The floor had a distinctive path of wear.  Quite noticeably, people take that path, the easiest path to the cash register. 
As I waited for my turn, I took advantage of the quiet. 
I began to think and pray about some issues weighing me down.  I find myself doing that a lot lately.  That's when the floor really caught my eye.  I knew I was on a beaten down path and wanted off.

Ever been there?  Heavy hearted?  Frustrated?  Joy stolen?  Passion and zeal for the Lord empty?

I had no idea that God would use that beaten down floor and other heart wrenching events in life to begin restoration in my life.

A couple of weeks after my visit to that tire shop, God brought a scripture across my path.

"You have circled this mountain long enough. Now, turn north......He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness....."

Deuteronomy 2:3,7b

 

 

Definitely a word I needed to hear!  I have circled these issues, frustrations, and struggles long enough.  It's time to move forward. It's time to stop walking the easy path of discouragement and it is time to trust HIM for all things.

 

Warren and I always do a summer Bible Study together.  I always push a Beth Moore study upon him.  Bless his heart, by the time the study is over, I am sure he knows more than he wants to know about women.  We've done her Esther, Daniel, and Psalms.  We have done Precept's  I Timothy and I Samuel.  We have done James McDonald's DownPour.  Last summer we did Beth Moore's James.  This year I chose Deuteronomy. 

 

I had no idea back in April (when the Lord laid this study on my heart) that it would meet me exactly where I am. 

The day after God had given me Deuteronomy 2:3-7 as encouragement, He reiterated this same thought to my heart in Beth's lecture on Deuteronomy1.

 

"You have stayed long enough at this mountain.  Turn and set your journey...."

Deuteronomy 1:6-7a

 

He knows.  I mean, HE KNOWS.  He knows our struggles.  He knows when our vision has been lost.

 

But He also knows how to get us out of that beaten down path.

 

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,

out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

And He put a new song in my mouth,

 a song of praise to our God; 

Many will see and fear,

And will trust in the Lord."

Psalm 40:2-3

 

And that is exactly what He is doing in my heart.

 

He is so faithful time and time again to speak so very clearly. 



 



He uses His word.

Just needed to be reminded He was God.  Be still.

 

 

 

He uses prayer.

One of the greatest prayer warriors I know.  Mark Ward.



 

 

He uses His people.

Paths crossed at just the right time.  For such a time as this.

 

 

 



He uses circumstances.

Totally Heart broken for his precious wife and girls.  Heart broken for the church and community.  Heart broken for his friends.
Absolutely encouraged in the faith.

 





To remind you to keep walking, talking, living, and breathing JESUS.  No matter what.

 

Thankful. 

 

"He found them in a desert land,

And in the howling waste of a wilderness;

He encircled him, He cared for him,

He guarded him as the apple of His eye."

Deuteronomy 32:10

 

 

 

No longer a MIA blogger.  Can't wait to share more with you!

 

 

 



 





 

walk life together

A couple of weeks ago I had the  privilege to drive a group of ladies from my church to Frisco, Texas to a ladies conference.  We had such a great time!

The conference was called "dotmom."  (http://www.lifeway.com/dotMom/c/N-1z13wdb?type=events )  It was an absolutely fantastic conference with great speakers. Angie Smith, Vicki Courtney, and Priscilla Shirer were absolutely wonderful.  The breakout sessions leaders were great as well.  I learned, was reminded, and was definitely challenged to "step it up" as a mom. 

" ...do not provoke your children to anger;

but bring them up in the discipline

and instruction of the Lord." 

Ephesians 6:4 

I came home with a ton of books. 

To add to my ton of books. 

All unread and waiting for me to finish reading Historical Philosophy of Curriculum....(the title even bores me!)
Oh summer-where are you?

Here are some of the thoughts I wrote down at the conference (which means I needed the reminder or I am stinking at right now!):

• Your children are not puppets in your show (beware of ruining the moment to put pictures on social media)
• Be intentional!
• Be unpredictable to your children, especially your teens (impromtu date to PJ's for coffee...)
• Put the phone down in the car.

I could keep going, my notes were PAGES!

There were so many moms at this conference.  All writing things down.  I could see the pencils smoking across the room as each speaker spoke!  We need help.  We needed reminding.  We need mentoring.  We need each other.  And mostly we need Him!  We are Proverbs 31 women trying to do it all NOW!

"Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her..."

Proverbs 31:28

This journey of parenting is tough.  Full of so many seasons.  Diapers, Thomas the Tank Engine, ABC's, us reading books to them, them reading books to us, T-ball, pitching machine, Kid pitch, piano lessons, multiplication,  tween years, teen years, car keys, ACT scores, college applications.   Attitudes, smiles, crying, laughing, throwing fits at Wal-Mart, giggles as you tuck them in, disappointment, failures, successes, growth.

"There is an appointed time for everything.

And there's a time for every event under heaven-"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Being a mom is one of the greatest blessings in life.  It is the main ministry we have.  This family we have is here to reflect His glory.

So I encourage you today, encourage the "moms" around you.  They may be in your Sunday School class, a friend, a teacher, a younger lady you know.  Encourage them.  Share with them. 

• share good places you know about that moms can use to find out information on movies (http://www.pluggedin.com/ is a great site!)
• share boundaries you found that work for the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing
• share how you worked through the "girl drama"
• share good homemade baby food recipes
• encourage them to pray for their children
• encourage them to love their husbands

Family is so important.
One of my most favorite verses is found in Psalms. I pray it for my family almost everyday.

"God be gracious to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us-

That Thy way may be known on the earth,

Thy salvation among all nations."

Psalm 67:1-2

Stay strong moms (and dads!)!  Keep seeking Him. 

Warren and I are rooting you on in prayer!

Remember

I have a ton of these.  In them hold some of the greatest joys of life and some of the most embarrassing cries to the Lord.  Precious moments between me and God.  In the pages of the books I have celebrated with Him.  Cried to Him.  Questioned who I was.  Desired something more.  Made commitments (of which I did not carry out a week later!).  But I am so thankful for them.

These journals lay on my shelf untouched.  They stay untouched until I need to remember. 

I find myself picking them up when I need to be reminded where I have been.  I need to be reminded that God saw my needs and and heard my cries.  I need to be reminded where I am headed on this journey of life.




Journal entry from 1999








I  prayed prayers of guidance for the first days of ministry for our family 14 years ago. I read about the places of joys and struggles.  I find difficult times of decision.  When I read the entries I can't help but think of Nehemiah 9:9-15 and unfortunately at times I read times like Nehemiah 9:16-20.

And all the while He saw.  He's El Roi.  He heard.  He made.  He knew.  He lead.  He provided.  He spoke.  He gave.  Truth.  Good words.  Compassionate.

 

 

I had no idea AWANA clubs would be what needed to happen.  WOW!

hard decisions in life.....

Heavy yet Happy hearts....

 

Our first week in ministry 1999





Ever been there?

Yet there are those times like in Nehemiah 9:5-8 where all you can do is thank and praise Him.

Remember.  Take time and jot your prayers down each day.  A day will come when a sweet reminder of God's faithfulness in the past is what lights the way in which you are to go today. 

"...to light for them the way

In which they were to go."

Nehemiah 9:12b