Saturday, July 12, 2008
Headed to Camp!
Today my hubby and four older children are headed to camp for a week. Our children have attended this camp for the past several years. Our travel schedule worked out perfectly for us to stop for two weeks back in our beloved Washington state so they could attend. I am staying in town with the four younger children and we will find plenty of fun things to do! We all miss living here! These next two weeks is something we have all longed for during the past year!
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Checking in With You All
Thank you! Thank you! To my readers!!! I am so encouraged to check in here and see all of your comments! It is difficult being gone from my blog and not checking in every single day but it has also been a bit relaxing at the same time. I thought that since I had a moment that I would share with you what has been going on the last week! A LOT!
We have been busy and things have been a bit hectic and we are tired. Before leaving San Antonio we learned that a friend had died. Please just pray for their family. This occurred while we were packing out. Her funeral is today and I know her family needs prayer.
We left SA and drove for two days and my ankles were swollen and sore! I am so glad that we are dividing this trip up. I had not anticipated the swelling this early on in my pregnancy. The pregnancy is going well though and I am beginning to feel this little one move more and more. We have reached the half way point!! Yeah! Oh yeah, and I did get that ultrasound before we left. We are having a ........................... well, maybe I will make you wonder a bit longer.
Here is our pattern so far...
boy
girl
girl
boy
girl
girl
girl
girl
What do you think we are having??
On another note...
We are currently in Colorado. We had a chance to visit our friends here. Our son decided that he was going to ride their ATV. He rode without a helmet and rather fast. He was thrown over the handle bars and the ATV hit a tree. Needless to say, he spent some time in the emergency room. He is a little banged up but no broken bones or anything. Praise the Lord! The ATV on the other hand is badly damaged and it may take all or more of my son's car savings to repair or replace it. Other than that it was such a great visit. Our children have had a chance to hang out with their grandparents and the friends who live across the street from them. We visited Focus on the Family and to the Rock Ledge Ranch. We also went to the Air Force Academy for the fireworks show. After the fireworks our older five children decided to take turns wrapping up in a sleeping bag and tumbling down the hillside. As one tumbled the others acted as a wall to stop them before they ran into the cars in the parking lot. It was almost more entertaining that the fireworks and gave several onlookers a good laugh.
We are off to see Kung Fu Panda today, after hubby gets back. Where is he??? Well.....
One of our daughters has been having trouble seeing so we took her to a optometrist for a regular eye exam. They told us she needed bifocals and that her eye pressure was very high and that we should have her seen for possible glaucoma. Well, hubby is on his way back now from the Opthamologist. All I have to say, now that the appointment is over, is that Walmart is NOT the place to go if you want an accurate diagnosis!!! She is fine and simply needs a new prescription. Of course there is the wrangling we have to do with TriCare to actually get them to pay for the medical expenses they are supposed to cover! Why people LONG for socialized health care is beyond me.
We are having a great time though and will hit the road again on Thursday after trying to fit in a few more fun things! I miss "seeing" all of you in blogland but I simply do not have the time or the access to stop by every one's blog and say hello. Please know that I am thinking of you though and hope to be back "on top of" my blogging life soon!
We have been busy and things have been a bit hectic and we are tired. Before leaving San Antonio we learned that a friend had died. Please just pray for their family. This occurred while we were packing out. Her funeral is today and I know her family needs prayer.
We left SA and drove for two days and my ankles were swollen and sore! I am so glad that we are dividing this trip up. I had not anticipated the swelling this early on in my pregnancy. The pregnancy is going well though and I am beginning to feel this little one move more and more. We have reached the half way point!! Yeah! Oh yeah, and I did get that ultrasound before we left. We are having a ........................... well, maybe I will make you wonder a bit longer.
Here is our pattern so far...
boy
girl
girl
boy
girl
girl
girl
girl
What do you think we are having??
On another note...
We are currently in Colorado. We had a chance to visit our friends here. Our son decided that he was going to ride their ATV. He rode without a helmet and rather fast. He was thrown over the handle bars and the ATV hit a tree. Needless to say, he spent some time in the emergency room. He is a little banged up but no broken bones or anything. Praise the Lord! The ATV on the other hand is badly damaged and it may take all or more of my son's car savings to repair or replace it. Other than that it was such a great visit. Our children have had a chance to hang out with their grandparents and the friends who live across the street from them. We visited Focus on the Family and to the Rock Ledge Ranch. We also went to the Air Force Academy for the fireworks show. After the fireworks our older five children decided to take turns wrapping up in a sleeping bag and tumbling down the hillside. As one tumbled the others acted as a wall to stop them before they ran into the cars in the parking lot. It was almost more entertaining that the fireworks and gave several onlookers a good laugh.
We are off to see Kung Fu Panda today, after hubby gets back. Where is he??? Well.....
One of our daughters has been having trouble seeing so we took her to a optometrist for a regular eye exam. They told us she needed bifocals and that her eye pressure was very high and that we should have her seen for possible glaucoma. Well, hubby is on his way back now from the Opthamologist. All I have to say, now that the appointment is over, is that Walmart is NOT the place to go if you want an accurate diagnosis!!! She is fine and simply needs a new prescription. Of course there is the wrangling we have to do with TriCare to actually get them to pay for the medical expenses they are supposed to cover! Why people LONG for socialized health care is beyond me.
We are having a great time though and will hit the road again on Thursday after trying to fit in a few more fun things! I miss "seeing" all of you in blogland but I simply do not have the time or the access to stop by every one's blog and say hello. Please know that I am thinking of you though and hope to be back "on top of" my blogging life soon!
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Hotel Living Begins
Well, the crates are on their way and we are left with an empty house. It is a bit sad because I absolutely love this home that the Lord has blessed us with this past year. We need to do a quick clean and then we are headed to the TLF (military temporary lodging facility). We will stay there until we sign out of here and begin our move. Please pray we all get a good night's sleep, we are pretty tired over here!
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Loading the Crates
Typically they simple load our stuff onto a semi-truck from a moving company but since we are headed to an overseas assignment things are a little different. Yesterday they began loading everything into large wooden crates on a truck and they will finish up today. Everything will be sealed in the crates for the duration of the move. Maybe I can get a photo to post at another time.
Once we are finished and the packers and our earthly goods are all gone, we will need to do a quick clean of the house, have the carpets cleaned, the exterminator to come and spray, and our final walk through. We will definitely be ready to fall into bed at our temporary quarters!
Once we are finished and the packers and our earthly goods are all gone, we will need to do a quick clean of the house, have the carpets cleaned, the exterminator to come and spray, and our final walk through. We will definitely be ready to fall into bed at our temporary quarters!
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Best Way to Travel
Labels: Alaska, children, Family, journal, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Wordless Wednesday
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Day Two
Boxes are piling up and things are beginning to look bare! The packers are trying to get us all packed in two days instead of three (this has never been done before) so that they can load us tomorrow and finish a day early. They had better send some more people today if they want to accomplish this task! It will be a very busy next couple of days. I even have an OB appointment tomorrow in the midst of all this.As we travel, I will be in and out of places with free internet access so I can keep you all updated on our travels! Oh, and remember, blogger has that great scheduled posting now! Make sure you pop in here often it looks to be an exciting month as we move north & west. I already have a great post scheduled for tomorrow, guaranteed to put a smile on your face, soooooo come back regularly and see what is going on here!
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Monday, June 23, 2008
The Packers Arrive
That time has finally come! YEAH! The packers have arrived. They will be here for about 3 days packing. On day four they are to load everything into the crates and take our stuff onward to the great Pacific Northwest!I always shoo them away from the computer for at least the first day and most of the second. I like it to be one of the last things they pack up! That way I can hold off internet withdrawal for as long as possible! Ha!
I really do enjoy having someone else come and pack my things up. We have moved ourselves plenty of times to be able to appreciate NOT having to do all that work. We simply keep an eye on everyone and make sure fragile things and important things are wrapped and packed properly. We always provide a cooler full of drinks, snacks, and pizza for lunch. The packers seem to work better and do more of the specialty packing without complaint if you treat them well!
Here we go...boxes and tape galore! Pray for us today! It looks to be a busy but wonderful day!
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Final List
Well, the time is nearing. Our packers come on Monday and we have a few more things to do before they get here. This is our checklist that needs to be completed in the next few days.- Power wash the drive way.
- Take Turkish rugs outside and clean them.
- Wash all curtains.
- Pack suitcases for a family of 10, enough to make due for the next 3 months of suitcase living and including stuff for camp.
- Salvation Army pick up.
- Donations to else where need to arrive else where.
- Get older son's schoolwork mailed off to the auditing service.
- Clean out other children's school things from this past year.
- Laundry, Laundry, Laundry.
- Give plants away.
- We still need to make kenneling arrangements on the other end.
- Cut & edge lawn then clean and empty the mower and edger.
- Clean BBQ grill.
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
Paradise Canyon
We are off to Paradise Canyon today. We plan on spending the day with family and just having a good time. It looks to be a HOT but beautiful and fun filled day!
Labels: journal
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Friday, June 13, 2008
Off to the Hospital
Our time at the hospital is about to come to an end. Hubby signs out tomorrow and will no longer be working there. I am going in for my glucose test in the morning too. I will have one more appointment with the OB and then we will stop in to pick up some medical records. Time is passing quickly. All of the other chaplains who were in the same medical training program are leaving town before us and it seems a bit strange to know we will be the last ones to leave.
We are hoping to get in one more ultrasound (at the other hospital) before we leave but we have yet to hear from that office. If not we will just have to wait until we get to our new home.
Well, pray for me as I go for this test. That the order will actually be in the computer like it should be so I will not have to go back. That I get someone good with the needles to take my blood (I hate that!) and that the results will turn out good.
We are hoping to get in one more ultrasound (at the other hospital) before we leave but we have yet to hear from that office. If not we will just have to wait until we get to our new home.
Well, pray for me as I go for this test. That the order will actually be in the computer like it should be so I will not have to go back. That I get someone good with the needles to take my blood (I hate that!) and that the results will turn out good.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Home Again
I am finally home from my trip. Let me say, there is nothing like being able to sleep in your own comfy bed! I am so glad to be home and to be with my dear hubby again! Our trip went well and I thank those of you who were praying for us. We went and visited my family before our big move. I had not seen my father in 20 years and the visit went well. It was hard to not have my grandmother there anymore. I found myself wishing she had held on to life just a few months longer so I could have seen her one last time. I spent a lot of time going through old photos and was able to bring home her jewelry box with the ballerina that often entertained me as a child. After a couple of days there, I put hubby on a plane home and headed on to visit more family. These visits went pretty well. We spent a many hours just visiting and had a bbq at the park where people could just come and go. It was refreshing to see some and for others it reinforced the need to pray for them and for Christ to intervene in their lives. We made it home safely and are all so glad to be here! Traveling takes a lot out of you and I am pretty exhausted!
We are now down to three weeks before the packers come and have so many things to do before that time comes. I will not have much time for recuperation. We have to sort out what we are getting rid of and actually dispose of it! We have to sort out my hubby's professional items and we have to empty a closet to put the things we are taking in the cars with us so the packers do not get to it. We will also have to pack those items that we are taking. We still have a travel schedule and reservations to make. Oh yeah, life must continue as well during all of this plus the going away and last things we want to do before we leave. Yep, it is going to be busy around here!
For those who have asked for a baby update, here it is. I am feeling better, not 100%, but much better. I have already gained WAY too much weight! I am going for a diabetic check soon. No matter what the results the doctor and I are going to be having a serious talk about this weight gain thing! I am not feeling any movement yet and my anxiety is beginning to rise because of that but I will just need to work on my patience I suppose.
Thank you all for keeping up with me here and for all of the great comments this past week, that was a blessing to come home to especially since I was going through internet withdrawal! *grin*
So, how are things with all of you???
We are now down to three weeks before the packers come and have so many things to do before that time comes. I will not have much time for recuperation. We have to sort out what we are getting rid of and actually dispose of it! We have to sort out my hubby's professional items and we have to empty a closet to put the things we are taking in the cars with us so the packers do not get to it. We will also have to pack those items that we are taking. We still have a travel schedule and reservations to make. Oh yeah, life must continue as well during all of this plus the going away and last things we want to do before we leave. Yep, it is going to be busy around here!
For those who have asked for a baby update, here it is. I am feeling better, not 100%, but much better. I have already gained WAY too much weight! I am going for a diabetic check soon. No matter what the results the doctor and I are going to be having a serious talk about this weight gain thing! I am not feeling any movement yet and my anxiety is beginning to rise because of that but I will just need to work on my patience I suppose.
Thank you all for keeping up with me here and for all of the great comments this past week, that was a blessing to come home to especially since I was going through internet withdrawal! *grin*
So, how are things with all of you???
Labels: journal
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Visiting Family
We are headed out of town today. I am off for a visit with my father. I have not seen him in 20 years. He has never met my husband or any of our children. This should be an interesting visit. Then I put hubby on a plane home (he has to work) and I will continue on to visit my grandmothers, mother, cousin, siblings & siblings' families. It should make for an interesting trip. Thanks to blogger and their upgrades (new scheduled posting), I can still be posting without actually having to be at a computer. So stayed tuned. Posting may be more sporadic but even though I am going out of town without constant computer access doesn't mean I won't be "on my blog".
Please pray for safe travel and good visits. Oh, and just because I will be in and out doesn't mean you can take a break! I would still love to hear your comments on the posts published while I am traveling! You always brighten my days with your comments!
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Quirky Things
My friend Kim, who blogs at Life in a Shoe, has tagged me for the 6 Quirky Things meme.
The rules:
The rules:
* Link the person who tagged you.
* Mention the rules in your blog.
* Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
* Tag a new set of six following bloggers by linking them:
Now 6 quirky things about me. Well…
- I like to eat cheddar/sour cream potato chips and chocolate frosting..TOGETHER. Even when I am NOT pregnant.
- If the toilet paper is on backwards I have to change it to the correct way! :o)
- When I was in jr. high I attended a church where the congregation always said amen after the pastor said amen. I am used to hearing two amens after a prayer. I MUST hear two amens! Even if I am having my own private prayer time I have to say amen twice.
- I do not like odd numbers.
- I cannot drink milk with bubbles in it!
- When I sleep I have to have my feet wrapped in the sheet or blanket. Having the linens tucked in under the mattress does not work well for me!
Labels: journal
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Monday, April 7, 2008
Out For The Day
I am out for the day and taking a breather. Today is my birthday and I am headed out for a fun day. My mother-in-law is visiting and we are going out for an early brunch then to get our nails done. Later in the evening my hubby is taking me out to dinner. My older daughters have made a beautiful cake which I cannot wait to bite into and I am anxious to open that box sitting in my dining room! It looks to be a full day. May your day be a wonderfully blessed one, too!
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Saturday, April 5, 2008
Busyness Has Taken Over
Well, as you can see I did not get my Photo Hunt picture up or my Saturday Psalm & Praise up. Today we had another Awana event. We left the house at 8 this morning and just returned home. Now the younger children are off to practice for another upcoming Awana event. Oh, don't forget all of the planning for our move, doctors appointments, dental appointments, passport appointments, and on and on. Oh yeah, we are still some-what trying to get a little bit of schooling done. As of yesterday, the house we are in is back on the market and has to be "viewable" within an hour's notice. All of this amidst morning aka All Day sickness(which thankfully isn't all that bad to be honest).
Sooooo, Anyone tired yet????? I am exhausted. It is a good thing Oma is visiting for a couple of weeks and can play with the children so I can take a nap when I need one!
Sooooo, Anyone tired yet????? I am exhausted. It is a good thing Oma is visiting for a couple of weeks and can play with the children so I can take a nap when I need one!
Labels: journal
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Monday, March 24, 2008
A Birthday with the Phantom
Wow, has it been a busy week! Some of you may have noticed I have been a bit behind in my posting lately. My mother came for a visit, we ended up with a flu bug, and celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Today is our number 5 child's birthday. She turns 10 years old today. This comes with many perks. She hits the double digits, gets her military id card, and a later bedtime! We celebrated by taking her to see Phantom of the Opera at the opera house. She loved it and was just beaming!! We all had a great time. Happy birthday sweetheart; we love you!
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Where Are We Moving This Time??
Can you guess where we are moving this time? We just moved to where we are last summer and we are moving again this summer. It will be a much longer stay this time though! I thought I would give you 13 facts about where we are moving and you can comment with your guesses. It really should not be that difficult! Just as a side note, we are all very excited and doing the happy dance about this move!!! Dance along with us as we rejoice!- There are more than 3,000 rivers and over 3 million lakes.
- There are more than 5000 glaciers.
- About 5000 earthquakes occur each year.
- Three of the world’s ten strongest recorded earthquakes occurred here.
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in was -80 degrees F.
- Its name comes from a Russian version of an Aleut word meaning “great lands.”
- The place's motto is “North to the Future.”
- The actual city has an annual snow fall on 70.6 inches. Good thing we love snow!
- The actual city temperatures are: January, 20° F; July, 65° F; annual average, 35.8° F.
- The city is embraced by six mountain ranges and warmed by a maritime climate.
- You can see the “aurora borealis”.
- Be careful, you might have a moose on your front steps because more than 1,600 moose live in the city.
- Did you ever want to see The Last Great Race, the Iditarod?
I couldn't resist...
Here are a few pictures of downtown in the city where we are going, isn't it beautiful???
Labels: Alaska, Family, journal, Military, Thursday Thirteen
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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Reaching Out -- Some Family News
Yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. Not that it was overwhelming busy but because of the emotion of it on top of the busyness. Two of our children had Bible Quiz and Awana Games yesterday. Awana is such a great program; it teaches believers to reach higher and to reach out with the love of Christ. We had to get all of us out the door by 7 am and drive an hour to the location where they were held. We arrived home around 3 pm.I am again reaching out for the hand of the Great Physicians to bring healing to our home. We once again have illness within our household. I think we picked something up the last time we went to the doctor's office. I now have several children with fevers and coughs. I will have to assess the situation this morning before I decide if we are well enough to go to worship. I pray we will be able to make it, I need to spend some time, reaching out and lifting up praise and thanksgiving to my Lord in corporate worship. If we do go, we will be going without my husband because Hubby is on call today at the hospital. He left early this morning and will not be home until sometime tomorrow morning.
Another reason that I really need to go is because I have an important prayer need to share. My regular readers will remember that my grandmother passed away about a month ago. I received this information from my father, whom I have not seen in over 20 years. He called again yesterday shortly after we arrived home from the Awana events.
He is having heart surgery on Monday, February 25th. Please pray for him. I spoke with him for probably two hours. I could tell he was very nervous about the whole situation. I am dealing with some emotions that I cannot even describe. He asked if I could ever forgive him for not being there when I was a child (in a round about way). I told him I had. I had an eerie feeling that he was trying to make peace before the surgery on Monday and that he is not convinced (by other things he said) that he will survive. He is also not a Christian. We spoke about this a bit and he simply said he just cannot believe. But jokingly said maybe on Monday he would.
I am dealing with finally beginning to have a relationship with a father I barely know and the possibility of loosing him right away, and knowing that he is not a believer. This is distressing in a way that I am still unable to put into words.
Please pray for him. I feel as if he is reaching out but is still unable to grasp the only thing that can save him. I pray that in his reaching out; the Spirit will quicken his heart to believe and that he will grab onto and cling to Christ. When we are in need, reaching out and calling upon the name of the Lord is our only rescue and our only refuge. Praise be to God!!!
If you would like to lift others up in prayer, here is a list of prayer requests.
Labels: Family, Forgiveness, journal, Prayer
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Following Footprints
When we moved into this house we had to purchase a refrigerator. Now of course it didn't matter to my husband which refrigerator we bought; guys just do not seem to care about those types of things. I told him I had always wanted a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. So that is what we bought. I absolutely love it! Not only is the fridge, the part you utilize the most, on top and more accessible; it reminded me of when I was a small child. There were a few years when I was young that I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother had a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. I remember swiping ice cubes for snacks. This has become a scene in my home also. My little ones love to get ice cubes out for a snack, especially my 16 month old. It brings a smile to my face. As crazy as it sounds watching my little ones take ice cubes out of "the freezer on the bottom" lets me reminisce on one of the few good memories of my childhood. It also reminds me that my children will follow my footprints.
Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.
God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?
I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.
Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.
God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?
I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.
As my children follow in my footprints, these verses express my prayer.
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
- Job 23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
- Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Labels: Christianity, Family, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child
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Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A Clean Slate or Pre-Ordained Days?
This is the time of year that people make resolutions and commitments. It has been said, that each new year we have a clean slate before us and we can write on it whatever we choose to write. Though it is true that we make decisions and live out our lives we must not divorce this from the great providence of God.
Psalm 139:16God is the one in ultimate control of all things. We must make sure that in making our resolutions and plans that we do so with this fact in mind. Often times, scripture refers to believers as bond-servants or slaves to Christ. If we are Christians, He is our master, one we love, gladly submit to, and serve. Therefore, those things that we plan must fall in line with the holy will of God. We must remember we are here to bring Him glory. We must also be flexible and willing to change in case He shows us a different path to take than what we first intended.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Proverbs 16:9I encourage you when making those plans and resolutions for the new year ahead to remember God is the one in authority and make those commitments to Him. May God be glorified in our lives in the coming new year. I am not one who puts much stock in making New Year's resolutions; but MAYBE I will attempt to post some this year.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Labels: journal
