Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

The other day I was taking my youngest son to the video store when he asked "Mom, where do stars come from?"

First, let me say that I love when one of my boys asks a question like this one. It tells me that they are thinking, contemplating, meditating on something that is out of the ordinary. Secondly, let me say that I have forgotten everything I learned in school about astronomy so I responded by saying "Well, I think God made the stars solely for His enjoyment and for ours too. Since He is a God of splendor and creativity, I think He is revealing His mighty hand at work through creation".

My son looked at me and said " Well, I think God creates a star every time a baby is born. It's His way of celebrating a baby's birth". Wow!!!! What an awesome answer from a little guy but he didn't stop there. Next he said "Just think about it mom. Since God put the biggest star in the sky the day baby Jesus was born, wouldn't he put a star in the sky for every baby that is born?"

To tell you the truth I never thought of it that way. More and more I find that my children are teaching me biblical truths instead of me teaching them. Maybe this is why God said we should all have child like faith. To see things through a child's perspective can teach us a thing or two. My son hasn't spent years doing in depth bible stories like I have yet he sees God's fingerprints in the world around him and then takes time to share what he sees with someone else. That someone happens to be me.

Finishing Up Resolutions

I'm going to make this brief. After all, the last time I posted was on January 3rd. Days go by and I have a hard time keeping up. Can you relate?

The third part to my 2008 resolution was having a daily consistent quiet time with God. A lot of times women ask me "What does your quiet time look like?"

I can tell you with confidence that it is never the same. Sometimes I will read a devotional from Proverbs 31, Walk in the Word Ministries, or one from a favorite devotional book. Other times I'm in the middle of a particular study and just complete my assigned homework for that day. Another option would be to read a chapter from the Old Testament and New Testament. There are times when I put on a cd and just sing at the top of my lungs ( that's if nobody is home ). I may look over my pack of index cards that have scripture verses on them. There are even times when I just sit and talk with God about my "to do" list for that day. I ask Him to show me how to prioritize and plan then I wait and listen. I don't always receive a response right then and there but often times I do. It's the sitting still and not talking that is challenging for me. I'm working on that too.

I have to say that out of the three resolutions, this one is the most important to me and the one I have done the best at keeping. When I don't have my quiet time in the morning I can definitely tell the difference! So can my family or anyone that encounters me that day.

At first I really struggled with staying consistent but now I really look forward to this special time every morning. It sets my day off to a great start and helps me to remember what's really important in life.

As for 2009, my goal is to keep my 2008 resolutions and just improve on them. Especially the scrap booking and photo organization. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend of mine who sells Creative Memories. She gave me some helpful ideas on how to organize my photos. We'll see what happens.

My Personal Resolution

O.k. On Thursday I told you about my practical resolution for 2008. Today, I'm going to tell you about my personal resolution for 2008. There were two parts.

The first part was to just take care of myself a little better in 2008. Ya know...work out, eat right, take my vitamins, and drink my Mona Vie every day. Blah, blah, blah. There's nothing remotely special about this resolution. Everyone on planet makes this resolution each and every year. But, to my surprise, I actually stuck to it. Well, not exactly. Not every day. What was I thinking! Every day!!!

The second part to my personal resolution was to start a blog. I guess you can say I accomplished that too, but not really. Ya see, I wanted one of those pretty blogs with all the cool colors, awesome images, fancy fonts, clever video clips and soothing background music.

As crazy as it may sound, I searched for months, looking for just the "perfect" image for my blog. I checked all the popular web sites too. Do you have any idea how many images are on just one of those sights? ZILLIONS OF THEM!! The more I searched for that "perfect" image, the more choices I would find. Instead of being satisfied with one, I became increasingly compelled to search for more. It was a vicious cycle! One that I created and one that only I could stop.

Many of my friends created blogs in no time. Why was I having such a difficult time completing mine? Why couldn't I just choose an image and move on? My good friend, Renee kept telling me, "Leah, just start writing and don't worry about the other stuff". But, I couldn't get past the "other stuff".

I'm going to confess something to you. I have issues and one of them is perfectionism. Perfectionism breeds procrastination. When I can't do something perfect, I tend to put that something off until I feel it can be done just right. Well, that's silly! Who does everything perfect? Do you know anyone who is perfect?

Actually, I do and His name is Jesus Christ. How I long to be more like Him. He lived a completely perfect life without sin. Boy, wouldn't that make life a lot easier. Or would it? Jesus received a lot of persecution for living a life of perfection. People didn't understand Him at times. His actions were sometimes unorthodox to the majority. He often times came under much scrutiny. Talk about pressure! Pressure like that would cause anyone to sin, but not Jesus.

Although I'm not perfect, I serve a God who is and He is always there to help me. I just need to ask Him and then receive His help. What I've also learned is that I can go to God with big things and small things (like taking care of myself and starting a new blog). He is ready to help me no matter what my request is.

Just so ya know, I've forwarded my practical resolution for 2008 over to 2009 and so far I'm doing pretty good. Not exactly perfect though but that's o.k. with me.

What Resolution?

New Year's resolution.... do you make them? I do!

I love setting small goals for myself. They keep me accountable and focused. Without them, I could just wander around aimlessly with no drive, direction or motivation. I love creating a "to do" list and then enjoying the satisfaction of scratching out each line with a pen or pencil. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, no matter how small the task.

Last year I made three resolutions for myself. One was practical, one was personal and one was spiritual.

The practical resolution was to go through all of my children's photos and organize them once and for all! You know how it is, you take all those pictures, download them for developing at your favorite photo place, drive to the store, pay for them, bring them home, look at them, then stick them in a big box marked "family photos" and forget about them. At lease that is what I do.

Ever since I purchased my first digital camera (which was years ago), it became a lot easier to just look at the photos on my computer screen. I got real lazy and never bothered to get them printed. Now I have THOUSANDS of photos on my laptop and camera. I'm completely overwhelmed!

This could cost hundreds of dollars to have all these photos printed out! I don't have the time to sort through them! Which ones do I print and which ones do I pitch? Should I put keep them on my hard drive and save storage space in my closet for extra shoes? Would my kids look at them anyway?

All year long, I thought about my practical resolution. I planned time on my calendar to begin the sorting of photos. I dreamed of how nice the photos would look in those cute little albums. I imagined sitting with my boys and telling them stories about when they were little as we looked at the photos.

The only problem is that the photos never were sorted, picked, paid for, organized, placed in albums and enjoyed.

F-A-I-L-U-R-E!!! Not really, but that's how I felt, at least for a while. Then I realized that it was my choice not to follow through with my practical resolution for 2008. It wasn't that I didn't have the time, I just chose to do other things. It was my choice.

Those pictures are still available anytime I want to look at them. I have placed them on a portable hard drive for safe keeping and have saved a lot of money in printing costs. Maybe one day I will print them all out and put them in albums but for now, I'm choosing to do other things.

Believe it or not, I've learned something very valuable from my failed resolution. Although I chose not to follow through with it, I also chose not to beat myself up because of it. That's because I've hidden a very special scripture verse in my heart which is "For there is no condemnation (blame, disapproval, accusation, guilt) for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1 (NIV). That includes me! God doesn't think less of me because I didn't get my pictures sorted all pretty and perfect in a photo album and neither should I.

I'm so glad His word has freed me not only from sin but also from my silly thinking. What about you? Are you hard on yourself? Do you expect too much and then get frustrated when you can't fulfill your own expectations? Are you your worst critic? How is God changing your way of thinking so that you freely receive His grace and mercy? Please write and let me know.

Leah

Basketball shoes and prayer

One thing I can tell you about having boys is that they are always participating in some kind of sports activity. Last month, we breathed a sigh of relief because football was finally over. Carson's (our youngest son) team made it to the payoffs and they won the championship game for their division. It was so exciting but I was completely ready for the football season to end. I was tired of the hectic schedule and wanted some down time for our family. A good rest was needed in our home.

Well, after only 3 days of "rest", we began basketball practice. Both of our boys signed up so of course they needed brand new basketball shoes!

At first I objected. Afterall, their school tennis shoes would be fine. That hole in Brody's shoe could easily be taped up and Carson's hand-me-downs would certainly survive a few more months.

The boys had a whole different game plan. They secretly stratergized then confronted me with the idea that their new shoes could play a dual role. Ya know, basketball shoes and winter shoes combined. I fell hook, line and sinker.

Before I knew it, we were in the car and headed for the local shoe store. I had already told the boys we needed to stay away from one of those fancy sporting goods stores that seldom have the kind of deal we were looking for. I've majored in shopping most of my life and this was defintely a buy one get one free moment.

As we drove to the store, I began to feel my stress level rise. So many thoughts were flooding my mind. Basketball shoes are expensive. Christmas is right around the corner. So much for those cute boots I was saving up to buy. It's after 7:00 pm on a school night. What am I doing! In that moment, I blurted out "Brody, would you please pray".

To my surprise, my 13 year old said "sure mom" and began to pray. Ya see, it has become a small custom for our family to pray when we pull out of our driveway. It doesn't matter whether we're running a simple errand or leaving for a 7 day vacation. We always ask God for protection and a safe return home.

Brody started out his prayer by just thanking God first. He said thanks for passing his science test that moring and for his friends. He thanked God for keeping our family safe and for a great dinner that night (I made tacos which is a favorite). He even asked God to forgive his sins that day.

There I sat, beaming like any proud mamma would be. I thought to myself "he really gets it!" Brody new the importants of praise, thanksgiving and confession. I was so proud of him.

Then he began to pray about his new to be found basketball shoes. Not only did he ask his Heavenly Father that we find a pair that but that it would be the right size for both him and his brother. That these shoes would be on sale at a really good price but still a name brand of course! He prayed that we would find these shoes quickly and not have run to several different stores since after all it was a school night.

In those few moments, I learned something very special about my teenage son's prayer life. It was real, it was intimate, and it was heart felt. He prayed in such a way that many people don't truly experience or even understand. Brody knows that his prayers ascend before Emmanuel, which means God with us. That his heavenly Father will pause to listen to his voice when he calls out to Him.

What is your prayer life like? Do you only go to God with the "big stuff"? Do you think He is way to busy to hear your prayers? Do you think you have to come clean and be perfect before he will accept you? Brody isn't perfect but He knows his Father accepts him just as he is. He knows that His heavenly Father always has time for him, no matter how busy life may seem.

After one hour, we found two pair of basketball shoes for the boys. There were just the right size and just the right price. Not only that, they were name brand too! What more could we have asked for. God was faithful and answered a young boy's prayer about basketball shoes. As we headed home, I didn't have to ask my son to pray, he just did it automatically as a natural response to his joyful heart. My heart was full of joy too knowing that the feet that would walk in those shoes, would also the road for Christ.

Brody's Sunset

My favorite view!

My son, Brody took this photo from our backyard. It was a lazy summer evening and I was busy cooking dinner, oblivious of what the Creator of the Universe was painting for me outside.

Brody didn't miss it though. With my camera in tow, he ran outside and snapped a couple photos before the sun slipped away. How could I have missed this beautiful moment? I was too busy checking off my "to do" list. Could dinner have waited? Yes, it could have. Would my family have been upset if their food had gotten a little cold? Probably not. At the end of the day, what was more important? A well prepared meal or a glimpse of God? Although it hasn't come easy, I'm learning to pause, lay down my "to do" list and look for the brush strokes of the Creator. His masterpiece is everywhere. I just need to be more aware of it. What has He shown you today through His creation?

Sweet Blessings,
Leah

Favorites

Here are some of my favorite things:* Scented candles from Bath and Body Works
* Mocha Toffee Nut Lattes from The Human Bean
* Chinese food from The China Doll
* Dansko Leopard Print Clogs
* Dark Chocolate Raisinettes

* Sundresses and sandals 

* Sandy beaches and sunsets  

Here are some of my favorite places to visit:Steamboat, CO
San Francisco, CA
New York City, NY
Deer Valley, UT
New Orleans, LA
Houston, TX
Charleston, SC

Here are some things I love to do:* Dig into a great Bible study

* Travel with family
* Morning coffee and quiet time

* Spend a day on the lake
* Win a game of doubles in tennis
* Have lunch with friends
* Dinner and a movie with Keith
* Outlet shopping by myself

Sweet Blessings,