Day of Prayer

I know that you thought I forgot my password, but I really didn't!  This summer was crazy busy with, you guessed it, baseball!  Then it was vacation and...you understand.  Many times I thought I would jump on here and give you a quick update, but it never happened.  Maybe I'll get to that soon, but the fall is not looking any calmer!  Anyway, these are some thoughts for today.

I'm doing Beth Moore's Bible study "Living Beyond Yourself." In one of the videos she told a story about prayer. They had a lady come in to do a devotional time for their office and she challenged them with this. "I'm going to give you each of you an index card. I want you to write a prayer request on it. Here is the deal....today is the last day you are going to ask for this particular request. After today, you are just going to thank Him for it." She gave them time to think about it, and then they had a prayer time to ask for their request. Beth said that was an intense prayer time, knowing it was the last time to ask for it! I would imagine so! Then Beth challenged us with the same charge.
I have thought about what I might write on my index card for weeks. I think I have decided on my "spiritual" thing that I really, desperately want. I just have not been brave enough to actually commit it in ink. But one thing I have decided on and will share is rain. If you live in this neck of the woods, I don't have to tell you how hot. windy. and D.R.Y. it has been this year. We have had less than 2 inches all year! That is about 12 inches below normal! I know 12 inches doesn't sound like a lot to some, but this country sure does thrive on it. And when it is not here, we are beginning to really hurt. On this day, when our governor has called believers to pray for rain, I'm thanking God for the rain He knows we need and has plans to answer that prayer.

It is amazing how my perspective changes when it rains. It is more than, "Thank You, God, for the rain." It is a confident, rejoicing, "Thank You, God! I knew You would send rain! You are so faithful!"
Even as the clouds look very promising as I write this and the radar looks like it might miss us, I'm thankful that my God knows we need it and will abundantly provide the rain at just the right time.
 
Thank You, Father!

You might be a baseball mom if...

For the past 5 years I have known the day would come that all three of my kids would play ball at the same time.  I have kind of dreaded it.  Three different teams.  Three different practices schedules.  Three different game schedules.  One frazzled mom!  But actually, I'm so excited for SweetTate to start!  He has some mad almost-five-year-old skillz and he is going to love it!  I can't wait to watch him play too!  His and SweetDoll's games are on the same day in the same place.  And SweetBoy's schedule will be winding down when theirs gears up, so I think I can handle it.  (Remind me of that in a few weeks!)

You might be a baseball mom if...
* you have scraped a page or two on your laptop in the car during practice
* you have the early bird supper at 4:45 before practice or games
* you know what an rbi, dp, and k mean and when it is a good thing!
* you have a repertoire of suppers to take to the ballpark
* you are horse from cheering for your favorite teams
* you also have DQ's number in your phone so you can place an order and pick it up for supper!
* you have shopped for boy's foundational garments--that was a new experience!
* you love to see your man playing with the kids
* you have a permanent cooler packed with snacks and drinks by the door
* you sit through rain, snow, wind, heat, cold, and sun to watch ballgames
* you know how to score a game for the coach
* you can wash a uniform Friday after the game and have it ready for a Saturday morning game
* when you hear the word diamond, shiney and sparklely don't describe your picture
* your heart has sunk too when they strike out
* your heart has soared when they get their first hit of the season!
* you jump up and scream when they score!
You might be a baseball mom, if you can't wait to watch your kids play!

Fearless Climb

After I wrote the last post about our rock climb adventure, I got to thinking about how I wasn't afraid to do that.  I have always wanted to repel. It just looked fun to bounce down a mountain—that doesn’t paint a very pretty picture, but you know what I mean—bounce with a rope safely attached landing on your feet! It looked like too much work to climb up, but getting down looked fun! Of course, this one I had to climb to the top first!  Usually I am a fraidy cat and fear will get the best of me and I won’t even try something out of my comfort zone. So what was the difference here? I mean, I strapped that harness on, clicked on the safety rope, and didn’t even hesitate all the way to the top. Where did that confidence come from? I was motivated—I had always wanted to repel, and it is not as much fun to repel only half way! More than that, I trusted the guy on the other end of the safety rope that was almost twice my size, knowledgeable about his job, and strong enough to keep me from falling. I had no fear to go to the top.

There is a God stop here. So many times I talk myself out of climbing higher in life because I am afraid. But here is the truth of the matter. My God is huge! His wisdom is perfect. He knows me and has had a plan for me since before the world began. (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 1:4) He is infinitely strong, and more than able. I just have to trust Him. How far could I go if I was so completely confident in my Father and His love for me?!

Ephesians 3:16-21
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

This might be a familiar passage. It is one of the first chunks of Scripture that I memorized, and it became so meaningful to me. I love Paul’s writings, but sometimes it gets a little wordy. Break it down with me.

He prays that the believers would have the power to grasp what?
           How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ

And that they would know what?
          This love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

God is able to do more than in our lives if His power is working in us. What power?
          Power through His Spirit
          Power to grasp and to know the love of Christ

So through grasping and knowing the love of Christ, God is able to work powerfully in my life. Wow! That is the safety rope! I need to be harnessed in and fastened to it—grasp it and know it all the time, and especially when things get crazy. On our rock climb, SweetBoy lost his footing and the coach kept telling him to grab hold of the rope.  Our safety rope in life is God's love for us.  I can climb higher knowing His love for me is strong, sure, and more than enough to keep me from falling. If I have my safety rope fastened to anyone else, I have reason to be afraid!  But in God it is a sure thing!

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 94:18 NIV
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.

I can climb with God all the way by knowing His love is my safety rope and keeping my focus on Him.  His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 136)—that is what anchors me and gives me freedom to be fearless.

All the way to the top!

This week we went to our local activity center.  (Boy, local is relative isn't it!)  We had not ever been there, but heard from lots of friends that it was very fun.  We did the batting cages...yes, we.  I got in there too!  And much to my son's surprise (and mine!) I made contact with a lot of them!  SweetTate was too cute!  SweetHeart got in their with him to help, but it wasn't long before he was ready for his solo shot and in one cycle he hit 5 out of 10!  Way to go little slugger! 

SweetDoll hit 9 out of 10 when she got her rhythm going.  SweetBoy was getting some really solid hits!  I am excited for the season to start!

Here is my honey!

Then we went to the rock climbing wall.  I have always wanted to repell, but never had an opportunity to do it.  SweetTate was not excited about getting his feet that far off the ground, so he didn't try it.  Surprisingly, SweetHeart did!  He is not one for heights either. 

SweetDoll said, "I'm going higher than you!"  And she did go higher than SweetBoy and her dad.  But not higher than Mom--I made it all the way to the top!  No picture proof because I left my phone on the ground, but I made it!  I don't know how people do that for long periods of time.  I have got to get in better shape!

It is a great facility.  We will definitely have to go back and bowl and play some more!  Fun day!

God Stop at the Grand Canyon

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything.  Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.... God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us."

Acts 17:24-25, 27

God often gets my attention with nature and teaches me something.  So when we went to the Grand Canyon, I totally expected to meet Him there.  As we were sitting at the Grand Canyon watching the sunset, we had been there all day and I really hadn't slowed down enough to think about it.  But He had been working on it all day!

When we watched the IMAX movie about the Canyon, it told the story of people who had come to the Canyon way back in history.  There were native people living there long ago.  Then explorers came who couldn't find a way across it.  Eventually some fellas on a log raft decided to float down the river through the Canyon looking for gold.  (Do you have the picture of logs tied together, kind of like a Huck Finn contraption on the Mississippi?  Good.)  One guy asked the other, "Is this the right river?" wondering if they were in the right place for treasure.  Then they heard the roar of the rapids, and despite their attempts to avoid them, the first crest and fall of the white water smashed their raft to pieces.  The man decided, "This is not the right river."

Several years later, another expedition team made their way down the river.  There were three boats with three men in each one.  They made it through the first set of rapids...barely.  The next set cost them a boat and a man.  The next set they decided to take it cautiously and walk around it as best as they could.  When they came to the next white water, three men decided they were done and walked away.  They liked their odds in the wilderness of the Canyon rather than the raging river.  They were never heard from again.  The rest of the team went on through the rapids--the last set they encountered. 

The movie showed modern vacationers riding rubber rafts on the rapids with screams of excitement.  I have been on a rafting trip in Colorado and it is very fun!  But I can imagine how not being in right equipment, not knowing the river and terrain, and not having a guide would be terrifying!

Now let's switch perspectives to the rim.  On our Ranger Guided Tour she pointed out some "green tufts" on the Canyon floor.  "How tall do you think they are?" she asked.  (In the top half of this photo.)

They are 80-foot Cottonwood trees that look like something an ant would crawl right over and never blink!

At one point we could see part of the river and the rapids.  They looked like no big deal from here.  But if that tree is that size, they were probably pretty significant when you are in the middle of them!

Here is another thing.  I don't know if you can tell from these pictures or not, but there is a pattern in the Canyon to some degree.  The way the river winds through the Canyon might look random from the Canyon floor, but from the top you can see how the curves and jut outs make the same formations.  There is a Designer who has a plan.

So what is the point?  When I'm in the middle of the raging water of life, I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me...I wonder if I'm on the right river...I feel unequipped...I want to bail and abandon the original plan...I feel alone.  But the truth of it is, I am more than just a minuscule part of creation.  God knows my name!  He knows exactly the situation I am in.  He is with me!  He knows what is around the bend.  To Him the future is history!  He has given me exactly what I need so I am equipped.  He has a plan for me and no matter what happens, He will work it out for my good and His glory if I will cooperate.  When I set my heart, mind, and eyes on God, He will give me His perspective. 

These are some of my memory verses that I have been working on this year that also came to mind as I was thinking about this.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  (NIV)

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NET)

Isaiah 26:3

People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.  Depend on God and keep at it because in the LORD God you have a sure thing. (The Message)

Judges 5:21b

March on, my soul; be strong! (NIV)

Father,
Thank You so much that You are a big God!  Huge!  You work on the majestic, grand scale and the human scale.  You know me and love me any way.  I am blown away by a glimpse of Your love!  Thanks for meeting me here, and reminding me that no matter what may happen, You are still in control.  Help me to keep my mind set on You and keep going.  Thank You that when we seek You, You promise that we will find You.  I love that about You!  Thanks for a great day with my family and with You.  In Jesus' Name...Amen.

Spring Break

Long time, no post!  Sorry about that.  I'm finding that 1) there are not many news worthy things going on and 2) my creative writing has other outlets at the moment--facebook (it was inevitable, right fb friends?) and the Mom and Loving It blog.  Have you checked it out lately?  But this week I have a couple of things to share.  We'll see if I actually get them done!

We had talked about going somewhere for spring break, but we didn't decide on anything.  Until about 3 weeks before hand, we decided to go to Arizona!  I had been through there on my trip with my grandparents when I was younger and I was excited to show my kids the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert/Petrified Forest.  And a certain favorite baseball team has their spring training facility out there!  So we planned our route and itenerary, booked hotels, bought tickets, and we were off!  (I usually say, "We are off like a herd of turtles!"  But SweetTate has added his own twist..."We're off like monster turtles!")

Part of our itenerary was planned time at the hotel for the kids to swim.  Problem...the hotel that we had planned the most time to do that in their indoor pool, the pool was being painted.  SNAP!  But when we arrived in Phoenix it was warm enough outside that we could use their outdoor pool.  Perfect!  We were at the hotel for 2.5 minutes and the kids already had their suits on and waiting on us to go.  Oh.My.Word. That water was so cold!  I can not describe it!  Yes, I can say that from experience because I jumped in the take-your-breath-away icy waters.  We seriously wondered if it qualified us for the polar bear club, but we didn't think they had sign ups for that in Phoenix.  The kids loved it, and life is good.

 Her lips turned a few more shades of blue before we decided it was time to get out!

Our first adventure was the Rangers game. 

A friend who had been there a few weeks before said they would sign autographs before and after the game, so that was our main souvenir objective.  Each of the kids had a ball, I had  my scorebook, we all had sharpies--we were ready!  We waited...and waited....no one was signing before the game.  Snap!  So we went to our seats that were amazing!  Right behind the Rangers dugout!  And had a delicious ballpark hotdog!  Yum!  I think they are better than the ones in Arlington.  We enjoyed the game.

Josh Hamilton hit a home run, Neftali Feliz had a good start pitching, and the Rangers won!  And we actually saw most of the game!  It wasn't so stinking hot that we were drinking so much to stay cool which brings potty breaks every inning with kids!  By the end of the game, most of the star players had already left and signed autographs as they left, and where our seats were, amazing as they were, we were not in the right place.  But after the game, David Murphy stood at the corner of the dugout signing.  SweetBoy grabbed his ball and went to get his signature.  I really didn't think he would because there was such a crowd. 

Before I could really hope that he got one, SweetBoy was back beaming showing us his signed baseball!

Awesome!  Then SweetDoll and SweetTate took off, and they got their baseballs signed also!  I seriously need to send David Murphy a thank you for totally making our day!  And yes, he is our favorite player now!  (I'm reading over this and noticed how many !!! I have used.  Sorry, but if I were talking to you in person, I would be that excited.  We had a great day!)

The next day was a full day at the Grand Canyon.  SweetHeart had been there before too and what he remembered was watching the IMAX film.  We found that and really enjoyed the views it showed.  (And it was much cheaper than the helicopter ride to get that loose your stomach feeling as you plunge over the side!)  Then we made it to the Canyon.  The vast, majestic views were beautiful, and it was amazing how it looked a little different through the day as the sun went down. 

I wanted to stay for the sunset, so we took a picnic supper to eat at just the right spot to watch it.  One of the highlights of the day happened as we sat there.  Earlier in the day we went to a Park Ranger presentation on the big birds of the Canyon.  We learned about four different birds and how to recognize them.  We saw lots of ravens, and then we saw one of the rare ones--a California Condor soared above us!  They are terribly ugly vulture-type when they are sitting, but in flight, they are very graceful and beautiful!  I am so glad we planned a time to sit and enjoy or we would have missed that.  The sunset was not that different than ones we have here, but I don't often sit down and enjoy one so it was special.

As we made our way back this direction, we planned to stop and see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  It is amazing to me that there is something so different and interesting just off the highway, but you have to get off the highway to see it!  We walked around the Crystal Forest and marveled at how these huge trees used to live in this place that doesn't have a tree in sight now!  And what makes the hillsides purple? 

It is one of those places that makes me think that my God is so creative!  The kids did the Junior Park Ranger program and were sworn in.  That was a highlight for them.

In our travels, we noticed several things that looked like they were the inspiration for the Disney movie Cars.  These sandstone formations look like the car profiles they had in their hills.

Then on the way to the Painted Desert, we drove through Holbrook and saw Sally's Cozy Cone!

When we stopped for lunch the lady there told us they have a tow truck parked there that people stop and take pictures with.  We drove back by and it was Mater!  We just had to stop!  That was too fun!

We had so much fun and enjoyed our time together.  I realized that our kids are at really good ages to do stuff like this.  And I'm so glad we are at a place where we can.

I heart technology...sort of

My kids get on to me for always being on the computer these days.  I don't think I am, but then I thought about it...my life is on the computer! 

Journal on the computer.
Correspondence is email on the computer.
My part-time job is done almost entirely on the computer.
News and weather on the computer.
Friends on facebook on the computer.
Pictures organized on the computer.
Scrapbooking digital books on the computer.
Valentines--no construction paper here! Just print them off!
(Seriously I might get the construction paper out for this one, if I can find it!)
My grocery list is on the computer!
(I used to feel like a real nerd about that one, but how many of you have a grocery store app on your phone?  My point exactly!)

I'm feeling more attached, like a ball and chain at times, to technology.  I wonder why!  However, it sure does come in handy at times which is the point to my story.

Several years ago I heard that if you let your driver's license expire, then you have to retake the test.  Ugh!  I don't remember how many feet you are supposed to follow the car in front of you!  I just know when I feel like some people are too close!  Anyway, we have moved enough that I never really had to worry about it.  Well, this year mine was expiring and I sure didn't want to go past the deadline.  I thought, "No big deal.  I live in a small town.  I'll just run up there and it won't take long."  But I didn't plan on snow.  Then I forgot the fact that it is only open one morning a week.  Of course I remembered that the evening after it was open.  So I jump on the ol' Internet to see how far I would have to drive in the snow to get this taken care of before I had to take the test again.  I found two very important facts. 

1) You don't have to test again unless it is expired for 2 years.  Whew!
2) You can renew it online if you qualify.  Cross your fingers... yes!

To make a long story short, it wasn't quite as easy as it should have been.  (The system had a glitch in the payment, but it is finally on the way.)  And to top it off, I liked my last picture, so I guess it will be the one on my new one!  Bonus!

Tip: If you would like to also take advantage of this technology, start earlier than the week before.  OK days before!  I had good intentions, but I'm a recovering procrastinator and sometimes it just happens that way.  Thank goodness for technology bailing me out on this one!