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Heartfelt Wishes New Year's Card

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Full

It's only November 1st and I cannot help but feel "full".  "Full" of what?  Thankfulness.  Wow, God is so good.  It's pretty amazing how a little Trick or Treating can put in to perspective just how truly blessed I am. 

We had a fabulous time out in our neighborhood last night.  This is the first time in 8 1/2 years of parenting that all 3 kids really enjoyed this holiday.  It was fun to see their little feet run from house to house and hear Joely gigging about how much fun he was having.  Our little social butterfly, Ash, loved running into all of her classmates and church friends.  Little miss mommy, Aly, was doing what she does best and being the "mother hen" to Joely, protecting him from all of the scary costumes and decor. 

As each year passes I know this moment of our lives will be a memory which is why I intend to soak up every single moment and be thankful for the blessings that God has poured out on me. 

I cannot help but think of the second part of Malachi 3:10:
“and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Even though the beginning of this verse talks about bringing your whole tithe into the storehouse and testing God with it, it shows me that when we surrender our whole LIVES to HIM, HE will bless us in every way possible just for our obedience and for that I say THANK YOU.

Guilty

Have you ever felt guilty?

I've had feelings of guilt lately.  I've been watching some very close family members seem to have their lives crumbling down around them and that makes me feel guilty.

I've felt guilty because I have a loving, supportive, Godly husband.  I've felt guilty because I have 3 amazing children who are growing up in a secure, stable, Godly environment.  I've felt guilty because Corey and I are both blessed with good careers.  I've felt guilty for being able to buy school supplies and backpacks for all 3 children a month before school starts and that it's not a financial burden.  I feel guilty that we are taking our kids on a beach vacation when some of the children that my kids go to school with won't be able to share about their summer vacation on the first day of school.  The list goes on...

About two weeks ago I had one of those "light bulb" moments.  I was listening to a sermon and BOOM it just hit me.  In that moment I took every single one of those "guilty" statements and answered it with "Jesus". 

Matthew 6:33 is one of my most favorite scriptures:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you".

Seeking God first is exactly what we do.  It's not always convenient or popular to do this.  Some of those around us think we are CrAzY for faithfully serving in the church, attending church on a weekly basis, getting up early every morning to spend time in the word...and GASP...tithing (and don't even think about explaining why the tithe is 10% of your income, and that's just the baseline).  All of the glory truly goes to God because we choose to serve Him.  Isaiah 1:19 says "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land".  I choose obedience.  

Come on Vacation...that's all!

Dance Recital

So proud of my girls they are becoming quite the fabulous little dancers!  They are ready for a little dance break before dance camps start in July. 

Beezy Boo

I was making dinner last night and looked out the kitchen window and observed Ashley (my Beezy Boo) doing what she does best.  I stopped for a moment to reflect on her creative character and her unique-ness...then of course I took a picture so that I can preserve this sweet memory forever. 

Grown Up

Sometimes being a grown up stinks!