It's been a while

We are good. I have just been kind of busy with normal life happenings...diaper changing, laundry washing, road-trip driving (with crying/screaming children), etc. I had a wonderful time visiting my bestest friend Holly and her family as well as my dear friend Angela and her daughter Katy in Texas last week. Then, I had a fun anniversary night...dinner and a movie! I love my husband. He didn't have to work on Thursday or Friday; it was such a treat to be able to spend so much time with him and the boys. We all went to my grandma's for Thanksgiving along with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, a cousin I haven't seen in 2 years, and some more extended family. It was a great time, complete with a craft I kind of made everyone do (I have become more crafty since homeschooling started)...we made a Thanksgiving tree...even the adults participated!! It was fun! What was even more wonderful is that all I had to take was sweet potatoes, well, and 4 children and a husband, a booster seat, toys, diapers, a port-a-crib...etc. It was a relaxing weekend! We even played the game Life with Nate and Kyle on Saturday night. It was a fun time. It was awesome to see how excited Kyle was when he "got married" and had a son, twins, and daughter...or something like that! He said he definitely wants to get married one day and be a daddy...it was cute. Of course, I had to say something about marrying a wonderful young lady who loves Jesus! He said something like "duh." I love that kid...definitely my favorite 4-year-old in the whole world!!

I have been very blessed to be given an opportunity to lead worship again. I am the interim worship leader for the church I grew up attending. I feel so honored that I can serve my God in this way. I leave each service feeling so blessed, renewed, challenged, and spiritually fed. God is so good. In spite of me and my shortcomings, He allows me to serve Him and I am amazed by His goodness and grace. I truly don't understand how anyone can doubt Him or His existence. I feel His presence everywhere...He is my sustainer and provider and I am so blessed.

Lately, I have been seeking to "let my gentleness be evident to all" (Philippians 4) and in this "all", I must include my children...which proves to be my biggest challenge in my quest of gentleness. Sunday, God revealed something new to me in a passage that I have heard over and over again. I love when that happens. Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus is the ultimate model of gentleness and humility. Seeking Jesus is how I will learn to be gentle so that my gentleness is evident to all. Yes, going to Jesus to learn gentleness...duh. :)

Oh Jesus, may I learn to be more and more like you. Amen.