Warm cinnamon rolls and hot coffee on a cool morning...

My daughter has been sick all weekend.  She was so excited on Friday because she had invited a friend over to her new house to spend the night.  By lunch on Friday, she was running a fever.  By 6:00, she was burning up.  I felt so bad for her.  She was so deflated and lethargic.  She has slept off and on for more than a day, and she hasn't eaten in over 36 hours.  This morning she woke up and said she was hungry...Hallelujah!  Praise God!  She is on the mend.  So I made her favorite...hot cinnamon rolls.  So I sat down and enjoyed a few myself. with my piping hot coffee.  Such a little pleasure, right?  But, you see, my life has recently become about simple pleasures and attempting to live in the moment.  For instance, yesterday I went to the parade by myself to watch my son whiz by me while playing the saxophone.  I was so very proud!  He really can play.  The band director stopped the band right in front of us, and I got to enjoy just a while longer.  Reveling in the sound of his achievement.  I will remember that sound and the emotion that it stirred in my heart always.  There have been years that I would have paid my children NOT to be in the parade.  Too busy for that...not yesterday!  In the past, I would have gone with a friend and talked the entire time while the parade marched by...never again!  We miss so much because we are on to the next event or worried about what is going to happen next.  While Ellie was sick, Evan stayed with a friend.  Therefore, I was able to spend time with her.  We watched Christmas movies together and just talked, some conversations that we needed to have.  While I was worried that the bathrooms needed to be cleaned and some stuff needed to be put away, I knew that she needed me more.  Those other things could wait until she was peacefully sleeping.  We are here but for a very short while.  We have but one purpose, and that purpose is not to clean the bathrooms or keep up with the Joneses (whoever they are).  Our one purpose on this earth is to further God's kingdom.  So we need to stop, breathe, look around, and see the need right now whether it be a conversation, a hug, a standing ovation, or simply baking some cinnamon rolls from a can.  

Home

Well, we have moved in, if that is what you want to call it.  Ugh!  We have more stuff outside than we do inside, but I have hope that we will get there.  The kids are thrilled with their rooms.  They have played together more in the last two days than they have in the last two months.  Yesterday evening we went to the "old" house to say goodbye.  I have to say it was an absolute "cry fest", but it was a necessary step that we all had to take.  It was so empty!  A house really is walls and a roof.  A home is what you make it.  We spent time in each room, and relived many memories.  I know it seems a little melodramatic, but we needed to go through that together in order to move on.  We came home with closure.  We have been so blessed, and the Lord will continue to provide us with more memorable times as a family in our new house.  We all slept like babies.  Cobb and I both woke up saying that we hadn't slept that good in weeks.  We are excited about each new day in our new house, oops....home.  Upon waking up, I found my new spot for my devotion time, and I looked up my devotion for the day.  I was a little confused by the word that the Lord had for me today, but I backed up within the chapter and found the gem that I feel the Lord wanted me to read.  It is found in 1 Corinthians 7:31-32, "Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them.  For this world as we know it will soon pass away.  I want you to be free from the concerns of this life."  Wow!  I needed that.  He always knows just what to say.  He wants us to be free.  Free to worship, free to serve, free to love, and free to give.  Free from worry!  Amen

We are Called to Give

I woke up early this morning to go to my usual spot to do my devotion on this my last morning in this house.  When I got to the computer, the e-mail was not in my inbox.  (I subscribe to Dr. David Jeremiah's devotionals and they come to me automatically each day.)  I panicked!  I wanted this devotional to be special.  It is my last day in this house!  This devotional has to be good.  I know God has a perfect word for me this morning.   (I can be quite dramatic and emotional at times.)  So, anyway, I decided to go to his website and see if he had any backlogged devotions.  God provided the perfect Word for me, and I thought I would share it.  Here is the wellspring that I tapped into:

Giving in Proportion to Our Ability—and Beyond
Verse: Ezra 2:68–69
Both the Old and New Testaments promote the principle of giving in proportion to our ability. Here we see a positive example of this standard in the action of the returning exiles (compare this to the account of the Israelites giving more than was needed for temple construction in Ex 25:1–7; 36:2–7).
The apostle Paul may have been alluding to this passage when he commanded Christians to give in proportion to their incomes (see 1Co 16:2), as well as when he commended the Macedonians Christians, who “gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded … for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (2Co 8:3–4). Paul holds out the example of the Macedonians as committed, loving Christians, centered not on their own needs, desires and rights, but on those of others.
This principle of proportional giving makes sense, we agree, but working it out in our daily lives is not quite so simple. Why? Because our chosen lifestyle affects our ability to practice generosity.
In a reading adapted from author Randy Alcorn, editors John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson and Judson Poling attempt to identify the essential qualities of a Biblical lifestyle with regard to spending habits. Alcorn begins by contrasting two opposite but equally incorrect beliefs about money: materialism and asceticism. Alcorn notes:
During World War II, when fuel was precious, billboards routinely asked motorists, “Is this trip necessary?” Every resource used for individual convenience was one less resource for the country’s central concern, winning the war.
As Christians, we are also engaged in a great battle that requires great resources. We too must realize that spending resources on our own private concerns leaves less resources for our kingdom’s central concern. We should ask, “Is this thing necessary?” Does this thing really contribute to my purpose in being here on this earth? Is this thing an asset to me as a soldier of Christ …
In the words of Peter H. Davids, “A biblical lifestyle will necessarily recognize itself as being in opposition to the prevailing values and lifestyle of its culture. It is informed by a different view of reality.” This view of reality is not a harsh or austere view. It need not lead to bare-bones living, or to condemnation of those Christians who have greater opportunity or feel greater liberty to possess more than I do. Rather, it is a view toward the riches of the eternal kingdom.
Those who hold such a view are sincerely grateful for the refreshing pleasures and helpful possessions of this life. But regardless of what material things surround it, this view of reality remains focused on what is truly the greatest pleasure and possession of life, both here and hereafter—the pleasure of possessing Christ.
Think About It
•In what ways do you give according to your ability?
•How does your lifestyle affect your ability to give?
•How does your view of reality affect your lifestyle choices?
Pray About It
Lord, I want to live in a way that reflects a Biblical view of reality. Help me to do that.
This devotion is from the NIV Stewardship Study Bible by Zondervan. Used with permission.

It is just a house, right?!

It is well with my soul.  How can I even say that?  "It is well with my soul!"  What does that even mean?  I am such an emotional wreck, but I feel so at peace at the same time.  I am certain that selling this house is what God wants us to do.  Every single time I begin to get mired down in the emotions that are attached to this house, He brings me back with his word.  I awoke this morning and immediately began to cry because I knew that this would be our last Sunday to wake up in this house...this house that we love...this house that we have watched our children grow up in...this house where they lost their first teeth...this house where they had all of their sleepovers...this house where we slept under the Christmas tree...this house where they played until after dark with their friends in the neighborhood.  I could go on and on, but it is just a house, right?!  After all, we are not leaving our children behind.  I have always been this way.  I get especially emotional on the last day of a vacation.  I never want to leave.  I am afraid that I will forget...forget what it felt like to call my children in from this front porch...forget the way it felt as we had devotion on Evan's twin beds (which he is also moving out of)...forget the laughter that came from upstairs when my kids were playing.  I know I won't forget, but still I panic.  As I said before, I woke up in tears this morning.  I felt God whispering, "Please come to me, I will give you rest."  Reluctantly (because my bed is warm and it is especially cold outside), I came to the special place that I always go to meet with Him.  It is here that I read his word and lay on my face at times in prayer.  I had to gather my thoughts for my Sunday School lesson, so I turned to the scripture given in the lesson: Hebrews 4:4-16.  Hebrews 4:9 states, "So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God."  He is giving me my rest.  I can rest in Him.  Knowing that we are following Him.  The next scripture that was given was Mark 10:21: "Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.  'There is still one thing you haven't done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.'"  Okay, God I am listening.  That is what we are called to do.  It is just a house!  All of the memories are tucked away in my heart.  We will go forward, and in the words of my very wise husband, "we will make new memories in our new home."  Thank you God for giving me a fresh word of encouragement and for carrying me when I often feel I can't take another step.

What a transforming year!

I can't begin to explain the transformation that has taken place in our home this year.  After making some resolutions at the start of the year, we began making some changes in our lives.  We began talking openly as a family about our spending habits.  My children have been very accepting to this gradual change.  From resisting the urge to eat out when we are in a hurry to bypassing the almost daily stop in at Walmart, we have changed our spending habits in many ways.  The biggest difference that we have seen has been in our spending in Walmart and Kroger.  We just don't go to Kroger more than once a week unless we desperately need one item.  We almost never go to Walmart for food items because if we do, we will buy at least 10 other things that we think that we "need".  I have also learned not to take my kids into Walmart unless it is absolutely necessary.  If they go in with me, we are usually in a dead run bypassing all of those tempting unnecessary items.  I haven't missed these trips at all.  I have been able to spend that much needed extra time at home with my family instead of browsing the many aisles at Walmart.  We also have been more intentional about eating at home.  My kids enjoy this so much more.  We have tried to limit this eating out to one time a week.  This has meant saying "no" to some dinner invitations, but our friends have been understanding of our endeavor.  In April, after much discussion and prayer as a family, we decided to tighten our belts even more.  While camping in our camper over spring break, we decided that we could live with so much less than we have.  It is just "stuff" after all, right?   Our heart was really opened up to spending less on ourselves so that we could open our family up to more opportunities to give and serve.  So, as a family, we decided to place our six bedroom house on the market and see what God had in store for us.  At first, we put our house on the market for sale by owner.  Because of our location, which is off the beaten path, we didn't get much traffic or interest. At the end of August, we decided to put our house on the market with a real estate agent.  We had two people look at the house and we got an offer within a  month and a half.  Ahhhhhhh!  We couldn't believe that it was happening.  We love our house.  We have put our heart and soul into this house.  We began to ask each other, "Are we crazy?!"  "What are we doing?"  We shared many tears on the front porch of this house trying to decide whether or not to accept the offer.  In the end, we felt that we needed to continue our journey down the path upon which our Lord had put us.  In the end, we came to an agreed upon price with the buyer.  Now what?!  Where do we go?!  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.  We considered renting, but felt that we would be pouring our money down the drain.  After much research and prayer, we settled on what we think is the perfect three bedroom one story (storybook) cottage.   The kids love it!  Surprise!  Half the house means much more together time.  They are thrilled that they will be sleeping on the same floor as their parents.  Shocker!  They love being with us.  Who knew?!  It is all happening so quickly, my head is spinning.  We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are within God's will.  We are honoring him in our efforts.  He keeps opening doors for us.  It is amazing!  While we are sad that we are moving away from what we considered our "dream home", we are overwhelmingly excited about our new journey into financial freedom and our new found ability to tithe as we are called to do.  As a side note...our new mortgage is going to cost us only half of what our current mortgage does.  Praise God!  As a family, we are so excited about the new opportunities that we will have to give and serve as the Lord calls us to do.  So it is with sadness that we leave our home that we love so much, but it is with even greater joy that we embark on the new adventure that the Lord has planned for us.  We are overwhelmed by His love and His provision every single day.  We know, without a doubt, that our Father will always supply us with all that we need.  To God be the glory!

Bible Verses Regarding Contentment

Happy New Year! 

As you may have noticed, I am hoping that this year will be a year of learning how to be content.  What better place to learn about contentment than the bible.  The bible has some specific verses for us when we begin to think about contentment. Here are a few:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13).

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

 Paul learned contentment and so should I.  I doubt that it was a state of mind that came naturally for him.  Contentment is a process that involves times of hardship and prosperity. Contentment with plenty is obviously not as difficult as contentment with great need, but Paul states he had to learn it in both states. With God's strength Paul chose to take his thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and be content. That is exactly what I need to do as well.

Please feel free to post some more verses as well.

Wow! It's the almost the New Year, and I haven't even set my goals...

There are soooo many things I want for my family in this new year.  I am really searching for contentment.  That is what this blog is all about.  What is contentment?  The dictionary states that it is being happy within the parameters of what you have.  Most days I feel that way, but then there are the days that all I want to do is shop and spend money.  What is that all about?!  Do we really need all the things that we have.  Other days, I want to sell off all that we own, downsize to a smaller house, and simplify our lives.  I go from one extreme to the other.  There has to be a middle ground.  I have decided to try my best to be content with what we have.  NO MORE BUYING THINGS THAT WE ABSOLUTELY DONT NEED and NO MORE SELLING OR GIVING AWAY THINGS WE ALREADY HAVE!  My new years resolution for 2011 is to make our lives better with what we already have, and quit longing for things we don't have or even need!  I am taking the following steps:

1.  Shop at Kroger and not Walmart for groceries.  (Walmart is far too tempting!)
2.  Continue to give my children allowance once a week, but only take them shopping to spend it once a month.
3.  Stick to the budget that we have set for our family.
4.  Lose weight so I don't have to buy new clothes.
5.  Shop at the beginning of the season, not THROUGHOUT the season for children's clothes.  Once we have the essentials, we can stop!
5.  Plan ahead for gifts in order to be frugal.
6.  Less eathing out ... more eating in.  (Plan meals at least a week in advance.)
7.  Less going out...  More family fun and movie nights at home (cards, video rentals, puzzles).
8.  Consider whether it is a NEED or a WANT before buying.
9.  Most importantly...pray about purchases and spending.
10.  Communicate as a family about spending!

Well,  I think that about covers it for now.  Feel free to comment or add suggestions to help us on our road to contentment.  I pray that we can find true happiness in the things with which God has blessed us.  I will continue to update you on our progress.  Happy New Year!