YAY, no work or school so it's Fun in the Ice Today

Sheets of Ice

Freezing Rain

It's Coollldddd outside! Here's a brief snapshot of the freezing rain we are getting right now. This accumulated in less than 15 minutes. CRAZY!! I'll show you more tomorrow. This is all I could stand being outside for tonight. (haha)

A Sweet Morning

I got up this morning and me and Joshua started our morning devotion time together. We read the story of the good samaritan. Joshua was surprised how the first two men passed right by the hurt man, but was very happy that the third man stopped to help him. Joshua asked me if the kind man took the hurt man to his house and gave him a popsicle. I thought that was so cute. He remembered getting to have popsicles after his surgery and thought the poor hurt man needed one to. It was encouraging for him to respond this way because I knew he was listening and learning what we were talking about. After reading our story we told Jesus thank you for the kind man and asked Jesus to help us be kind to others as well.

It was so sweet to spend the first few minutes of our morning together talking about Jesus and praying to Him. I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to mature Joshua and me during this time.

Last night before I went to bed I read 2 Kings 22. It spoke of King Josiah and said that he was only 8 years old when he became king and that he was a king devoted to God. It went on to speak about how God used King Josiah and saved him from the destruction to come because of his heart towards God. Even at a young age King Josiah knew who the True King was and worshipped and served Him all the days of his life. I thought it was so neat to read this passage before me and Joshua started our morning devotions together. Because it is the prayer of my heart that Joshua would come to know God in a personal relationship at a young age.

Let It Begin In ME!

Our Pastor is preaching a sermon series on revival and it has been absolutely amazing! The Lord is really moving in our church and it's so neat to be a part of it. Sunday was one of the most moving services I've been in for quite a while. The altar was full, and people were genuinely dealing with their relationship with God. It's exciting to see because that is where it all begins. And, my prayer is "Lord, let it begin in me!" I want my life to reflect Him and I want to instill that same desire in to my son. In my prayer times and quiet times with the Lord, I feel him calling me to a new task as a mom. Beginning tomorrow morning me and Joshua are going to start reading a morning devotional out of his toddler Bible and begin our day with reading the Word of God and praying together before our day gets started. I'm excited to see how the Lord is going to use this in my life and in Joshua's life. Even at age 3 I see Joshua's eagerness to learn and he remembers the stories we read about Jesus. I want to nurture that and it's my prayer that Joshua will come to know Jesus as his personal Savior at an early age so that he will have his whole life to live fully to the Glory of Christ!

As a mom I want so much for Joshua, but there is nothing I want for him more than him having a relationship with Christ. And, it's my job to show him how great and awesome our Savior is so that he will want to know Him. So, again, my prayer is this, "Lord, let it begin in me!"

A Wild Week

It's been a tough, tough week here in Texas. Joshua is recovering slowly from surgery. He's doing great other than still waking up at night with pain. So, we are all still sleep deprived but surviving. With the economy the way it is businesses are experiencing lay-off's and the Seminary has been affected by this as well. I had to be a part of telling six employees this week that they no longer had a job. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. These are not only co-workers but friends, and my heart is still broken over seeing them go. I know that ultimately the Lord's plan will prevail. And, I know that he has plans for all six of these and I thank God for that, but the hurt of watching them go through this is difficult. Needless to say I'm looking forward to the weekend. I just want to stay home with my pj's on and do absolutely nothing all weekend. I'm sure that won't happen, but I can at least dream about it. :)

Rodney started classes this week as well. He's off to a good start and really likes his classes so that's good. Starting next Tuesday night Rodney will be at school every Tuesday night from 6-9 for the next year, maybe two. He is starting his practicum where he gets to be hands on with counseling people. He is so excited about it. It is what he loves to do and he is so great at it so I know he's going to enjoy it very much. Me and Joshua will be Tuesday night buddies for a while. So, that ought to be a lot of fun too. :)

Well, that's just a quick update on where we are and what we're doing. I'll check back soon.

Post Surgery Update

Joshua is doing extremely well after surgery today. He had been laying on the couch for a while but decided an area on the floor might be fun too. Around 1pm he said he was really hungry and wanted a hot dog. I was a little nervous giving it to him, but he has done fine and actually ate 2 of them with no problems. Now, he's upstairs drumming away on his drums. I'm so thankful he's feeling good. I'm still making him rest a good chunk of the time because I don't want him to overdo it. So, we are doing really good here and will check in later.

Joshua's Surgery

We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 this morning and this is a picture of the hospital lit up with their cool blue lights.

Joshua - Pre-surgery
Hanging out watching cartoons.


Joshua - Post surgery
The nurses said he woke up in a great mood and started eating popsicles right away. He was very relaxed and mellow the whole time. He said he wasn't hurting and that he was ready to go home. The nurses kept commenting on how good and patient he was being. They said they hoped all the other kids would be just as good as him.

Joshua showing off the cool gadgets all plugged in to him. He thought they were pretty cool.

Joshua got to ride in the cool wagons out to the car. He thought that was so cool. The nurses also gave him two gift bags and a stuffed animal before he left. So, he was excited about that too.

We are home doing really good right now. He's eating lots of posicicles and watching T.V. Which is probably what we'll be doing the rest of the day. He laying on the couch, with all his favorite things as happy as he can be.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Scripture Memory

I'm taking to heart Psalm 119:11 this year. This verse says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." So far I've memorized 3 verses and I've decided what better place for accountability than on my blog. As I memorize scripture I'll post them and type them from memory (I promise I won't cheat). I really want to stay faithful to scripture memory so if you see that I haven't posted any new verses in the next couple of weeks then you have my permission to call me on it. :)

Psalm 63:7-8 (NIV)
"Because you are my help I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you. Your right hand upholds me."

Isaiah 45:22 (KJV)
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God and there is none else."

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope."

I want to live an unashamed life for Christ this year. There are so many areas I need to be more faithful in towards my God. I've been so delighted to spend time with him on a daily basis here lately and it's truly made a difference on how I approach different situations. The only reason I get through the things I get through is because I know God is on my side and that He will always be with me, helping and guiding me through whatever comes my way. I cannot be deafeated with Christ on my side.