He's Coming Back

Okay. I feel like last year I got grounded and reminded through several circumstances that we are not promised tomorrow and that our kids are not our own, but gifts from God. In fact, I wrote a post similar to this one, discussing these thoughts almost a year ago to the date.

And here I am again...

Because last night I went to bed late, due to being consumed with such thoughts, spending time in prayer, and being in my kid's rooms praying over them while they sleep.

Last night, a BHS girl lost her life in a car accident here in town. She is the third high school girl we know to die this way in the past year...praise the Lord she was a Believer (like the other 2) and had her destiny sealed in Heaven the day she proclaimed faith in Christ and became a follower of Him.

Here's what I struggle with:
My initial reaction to these things is sheer fear and terror and an urgent need to enclose my kids in a tight bubble of security (or my own fear, perhaps???)...to not let them go on a road trip with their grandparents in a few weeks...for me not to get in a car and drive to Dallas soon by myself...to not get out much and avoid busy highways...

But then I remember Jesus demands us to not live in fear...to not worry...not not be anxious about ANYTHING.

And so I pray...for forgiveness, and proclaim that God's will - whatever that may look like - is always - ALWAYS - better than mine. Always. Even if it involves tragedy.

So last night, I went into my kids rooms while they were asleep, and I prayed for them. I prayed what is the hardest prayer I have ever found to pray for my kids:
That God use them in mighty ways. That His will be done in their lives - whatever that may look like - to bring Glory to His name...That my desire for them is protection and long lives, but that I submit to whatever the Lord has in store for their lives, because His plans are always greater. But then my fervent prayer (as is always with Jason and I) is that they come to know the Lord...that they don't merely know of Him, but that they know Him.
There is a massive difference between the 2 which determine eternal blessing with Jesus, or eternal condemnation apart from Jesus.

And then, last night, I was reminded we have a job to do. In the midst of our earthly responsibilities, our greatest responsibility is to make sure people know the difference between knowing of Christ and knowing Him...we have that responsibility to instill this in our kids everyday, but also the rest of the World.

I was reading in 2 Peter 3 this morning about God's patience with Jesus returning and how God is patient so that all may come to know Him. I'm not one of those that wish Jesus would just come back. I used to be, but I feel convicted now every time I have that mind frame, because there are so many people that would perish in eternal condemnation if He came now. I'm thankful God was patient and waited on me.

So then later, I was reading this:
^"Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and

 believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into

 judgement but passes from life to death. "(John 5:24)

So I know most of you reading this know of Him...but do you know Him?????

J.Timberlake (Yes I'm blogging about him)

Jason and I are J.Timberlake fans (yup, self-admitted). The other night I watched s horrible movie and kicked myself for actually sitting through the whole thing. But when it was over, this happened to come on Jimmy Fallon Late Night as I switched from Blue-Ray mode back to cable.

I thought it was hilarious.

When Jason got home I made him watch it and he, too agreed.

So thought I'd share some humor for you JT fans out there...whether you're a closet fan or self-admitted like us, I think you'll appreciate it.

(There's also an original version...this was an encore appearance apparently).

Change of Plans

So my ultra-busy weekend without my husband I blogged about?

Yeah. Didn't go as planned (of course).

It all worked like clock-work until Noah got a bad diarrhea streak going from Saturday night - Sunday morning. This caused me to stress at 6:00am Sunday morning since I was suppose to be helping lead worship for two services at church, but ultimately, I knew it would be very un-mommy-like of me to drop him in the nursery for 3.5 hours, thus infecting three different classes of kids with the runs.
So we had to cancel for Sunday worship. Next time.

But let me tell you, hanging with 300+ junior high kids all day Saturday might be one of the most exhausting things I've done in a looong time...but super fun and completely worth every minute. I'm so excited about the girls in our cell group - this will definitely be an adventure. :)

Then tonight for dinner? Let's call it "trying-to-make-budget" with one day to go:
I looked in the cabinets/fridge and literally found just enough of what I needed to make Vegetable Fried Rice:

*exactly 2 cups of brown rice
*only 4 eggs left (perfect amount)
*One more bag of frozen mixed veggies
*just enough GF soy sauce left over
*cooking spray

It turned out to be a pretty yummy/healthy dinner, that despite not having any chicken to through in, the eggs made up for the protein portion.

Hope everyone has a great week ahead of them!!!

Busy Busy

Busy weekend. I'm thinking maybe I signed up for too much, but it was hard to say no to any of it. The kicker is Jason is leaving in a few hours for OKC for the whole weekend. And it just happened to be the same weekend of business for me. But we'll make it work (attempt, at least).

Tonight I'm taking the kids to my parents to spend the night because they are going to graciously watch them for me all day tomorrow (and night).

Tomorrow from early morning till late late night, we have our first re-treat with our 7th grade cell group! Super excited to get to know all the girls better this weekend! We'll see if I still have the stamina of a junior high kid. :)

Then Sunday morning (which I think is a tricky morning for anyone with young kids), will be ultimate tricky this week. I get to sing in worship this week (which is the thing I usually can't say no to because I love it so much)...but that requires me to get there pretty early (with kids), shuffle them around while we practice, and hope little Noah can survive 3 hours of the nursery - he has a tough time doing this for one - poor thing.

So I kind of feel sorry that the kids are being juggled around all weekend, but at least tomorrow it is with their g'parents whom they LOVE spending time with!

We'll see if we can keep the chaos to a minimum.

In the meantime, today was, yet again, park day (since the temps were under 90). Love.

Photo Fun

This morning was cloudy and cool so we ate breakfast outside and I decided to play with the camera bit

Dressed Up Green Beans

My mom told me a new way to spice up green beans and Wa-La!!! My husband loves them! Lincoln and I do, as well, but Noah takes one bite (makes a nasty face) and spits them out his mouth. 3/4 is success in my book though.

So here we go:
These 3 ingredients:

**Pre-heat oven to 350**

Dump frozen whole beans in corning ware (I think whole ones taste so much better)

Generously spray with cooking spray (or you can use butter/olive oil)

Dump one packet of italian salad dressing mix on top and mix all around.

Bake about 25-30 minutes.

**I also sprinkle with salt/pepper before baking

We have these at least once a week as a side dish. Love them!!!

This Story Will Stop You Cold.

"To End All Wars."
Ernest Gordon's true account of his time in a POW Japanese camp during WWII. I knew it would be good (because every true story is) but this one will absolutely blow you away. Ernest was agnostic going into this camp, and left a firm Believer in Christ - then went on to get his M.Div and be Dean of the Chapel at Princeton for many years. How he came to know Christ in this camp will blow you away. You must read this inspiring story of how Jesus changes lives.
You can read it or watch it (good news, right?).

We watched it because the $4 DVD we ordered off Amazon came in first. :)
But I've heard the book is incredible.

Just a recommendation. :)

Oh - if you want a little taste of this man, google his name for his NY Times obituary.