Renewal

Have you  ever felt like you were drinking from a fire hydrant?  That is how I feel after this weekend.  I feel like I need a couple days just to digest all that I learned this weekend.  I was able to get away from the everyday responsibilities of life and escape to a lovely hotel, with friends, to a time of refreshment.  But now I just want to snuggle up with my workbook, my Bible and a notepad to list out all the things I want to implement and dive into deeper. 

It was just so good.

 

It always is.  Sally Clarkson is just great.  She is so real, so transparent and so encouraging!  I always walk away encouraged.  But I want to chew on things.  Digest them.  Really let the soak in.  I feel like I was given all this great stuff and then thrown back into my real life and it was move at the same pace as when I left.  So there is not time to take a breath and think.

This weekend Sally spoke about her book “Dancing with my Father” – her main talks were about renewing your habits, renewing your heart, renewing your home, and finally renewing your hope.  Can you see a theme?  Renewal – we all need it.  We need to be reminded to seek it out.

 

Sally’s eldest daughter Sarah spoke about her book – a book about books.  She loves literature – she loves good books.  I am excited to curl up with her book and highlight some books that peak my interest.

 

So [Donna], what did I learn?  A few main points:

1.  We need to train the will of our children through training their heart and soul

2.  We need to take time to renew our hearts – time each day to do something that restores and renews [I do not do this regularly, I think I am going to make a point to do this daily]

3.  That we go through tough times to equip us to help others going through tough times later.  We cannot pour out what we do not have.  We gain hope and faith through trails.

4.  I was created to be life-giving.  To my children, to my husband, to others in my life.

…… just to name a few.

It was a great time – and it made me so excited to see my children too – even though it was really only about 30 hours away – they were good hours.

So, I came home thinking about all the changes I want to make as I strive toward excellence with my family, but also reflecting on all the things I am glad we do. 

I am always grateful for the path our lives are following, today I am very grateful for

091.  a husband who encourages me to get away and recharge

092. my in-laws who were wonderful to watch  my children while I was away and Robert worked.

093. Sally and her sweet family who encourage me in many ways

094.  tea time with my kids, even if they still slurp while sipping

095.  children who are getting better are listening and being quiet while Dad sleeps

096.  spring showing itself in new plants popping up in the yard

097.  an upcoming trip to Oregon – through many new states

098.  700+ ladies who gathered together, who share a love of family

099.  a love of good literature in our home, where children pick up good books and make new life-long friends!

100. a doctor who quickly diagnoses and a specialist with an opening this week

101.  knowing that I serve a God who can heal with out surgery if it is his will, and choosing to trust Him with my healing!

Panting for water

As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you O God. Psalm 42:1

I think that is the verse I am carrying into my weekend.  I get to run off today after lunch with some friends for a time of renewal, refreshment and fun at the Whole Heart Mother Conference.  I cannot wait!

The menu includes:

Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Fried Rice, Peanut butter Fudge

Couscous, beans and apricot Nectar Cake

cheese, chicken salad, and other various snacks.

We plan to swim tonight in the hotel pool after our session, I know we are going to browse some amazing books, and we are going to hear what God has laid on Sally Clarkson’s heart for us to hear!

I am just tickled.  I cannot wait.

I do feel like that deer, I am thirsting for a word from God.  Not that I have not felt him moving in our lives or heard him speaking through is word.  This panting is a more specific panting.  Sally speaks to my heart as a homeschool mom and as a wife who is very committed to my family.  She has a way of saying things that do not add guilt to my already heavy load, but instead inspiration, encouragement and refreshment.

She may say – not “Yu need to have tea parties with your kids if you want to be a good mom.”  Instead, “did you know that by having a tea party with your children you open their minds in new ways and inspire them to greatness.  YOu get to share something sweet and gentle, something intimate and special.” -   Something like that.   I just love her approach and it does inspire me.

So I am off to clean like a mad woman, cook like a starving one and finish packing.  I hope to have pics to share and lots of wisdom too!!

Running

I am not a runner.  I have been reminded that this week.  Not a runner – as in put on your running shoes, running bra and go run – but a runner as in always on the go.

 

We have been given a gift of sorts.  Robert has had some changes at work that allow him to go in a little later – so I have some time in the morning to get some things done sans kids.  Don’t get me wrong, I can pack up my brood with no warning and do some serious grocery shopping, run here or run there.  But the dentist is one thing I have been putting off for months because they usually do not love when you arrive with 4 kids in tow.  SO I checked that block this week.  I made it out to JBF to stock up on some great items for my little princess.  I even enjoyed a great lunch at a new place in Arlington – Potager Cafe – it is a new place (well a year old or so)  you pay what you want.  They make the food each morning – the menu changes every day.  The food was wonderful!  So fun!

 

Ok, so back to running.  It has been a long week.  Get school done with the kids, keep them quiet and then run out to take care of some things.  It is great to get to do the dentist and even the JBF sale.  But I do not like to run.  I like to snuggle up in my house, I like to sew, I like to be home.

 

So I am looking forward to, not next week, but the following week.  I am looking forward to, hopefully warmer days, and staying home.  Savoring the day with my kids.  Slowing things down.  I think that is what God wants for all of us.  I know that looks different for everyone – the slowing down part.    If we are going too fast, we miss what is going on around us.  You know?  Like if all I am doing in a morning is rushing through school, trying to get some chores done and then running out – am I really doing my kids any good?

I know there are days we need to get more done than others, but how often do we stop everything and listen?  To our kids?  To God?  I know when I am running I am not really listening to anyone.

So I am looking forward to slower days.

I will say though praying BIG this week has been powerfully changing my life.  I am reading a book called Praying Big for your Child – I have mentioned it before.  I have always known the importance of praying for your child.  But these last few weeks I have been praying different prayers.  Even with my boys at night, when they mentioned Haiti the other day.  Both my older boys prayed for Haiti.  And then we talked about how we can specifically pray for Haiti – how to pray BIG for Haiti.

These last few days I have been praying BIG for a very dear friend.  I am praying that God moves in a miraculous way.  So if you are reading this and you are the praying kind, will you join me in my private prayer?  Pray that God moves so big it will not be attributed to anyone but him.  Pray that God will bring a softened heart and a heart of repentance and a heart of forgiveness.  I am so broken over this right now – it is just tearing my heart apart.  SO please pray.  My friend really needs your prayers too.

And I encourage you to join me in praying BIG too – it will change how you see God, change how you approach his throne, change you.  It has been amazing and it feels so amazing to talk to the Lord with power and authority!

It’s Monday…..

….my favorite day of the week!  Not that every Monday is lovely, but I still love my Mondays!!

Life is good, Robert is trucking right along with the job and the recent position change – I think he enjoys the increased responsibility as well as having more control of changes and such!  So that is a great thing!  God is good and it is so great to watch him  move!

My excitement is growing so much!  I simply cannot wait for this weekend!  I love the Whole Heart Mother conference!!  Just love it!  God has so spoken to me at both conferences I have attended, but even more importantly I just feel so refreshed, renewed and refilled after a weekend with:

  Sally Clarkson,

my friends and some quiet time with God.  It really is such a great weekend for me!

So I am thrilled, plus I am planning a surprise for my roommates – can’t reveal too much incase one of them happens upon this blog.  But I will have pics to share later this weekend!!  It has been so much fun getting ready for this weekend! 

It’s Monday a which also means my Gratitude Journal!  Such fun, here goes:

076.  Soothing a croupy cough in the middle of the night with hot cider and hugs (E)

077.  A friend who gently rebukes with love – and points me in the direction I need  to go

078.  The sun shining between the rain showers

079.  A hard working husband who serves his family with love

080.  Boys who love Jesus

081. long blond curls with a bow (A)

082. Deep brown eyes that sparkle with mischief (E)

083.  endless hugs and requests for back rubs (P)

084. A boy growing into a young man, who I really like (J)

085.  A man who loves me even though I do not speak his love language

086. Always  enough….in EVERYTHING

087. Adonai – the LORD is sovereign

088.  For friends sharing their love of Jesus with me – and encouraging me through sweet words

089. For Jesus who tells us 365 times not to fear!  We have no reason to fear anything!!

090.  For the hope of seeing my brother in a few months in Oregon!!

Hope you are having a great Monday!