GrEightful

Wow, another week just flew by and there is so much to be grateful for!

This week I am grateful for:

1. A job that I am really enjoying and am super excited about!

2. Safety on the roads. This past week was my first week back at work and the 2 1/2 hour drive each day has been really hard. The weather has been a little rough, and there have been a few close encounters! Some nights I have been in bed before 9:00!

3. Night time cuddles with my two beauties. A little one who is learning so many new words each day (tonight was 'purple') and conversations that go a little like this:

Zech: Mom, do you know the kids that have nothing?
Me: Yes.....
Zech: I will give them my bed.
Me: Oh that is so kind and compassionate of you!
Zech: And I will wash them too and take care of them.
Me: (heart melting) That is exactly what Jesus wants us to do and tells us to do, isn't?
Zech: Yeah, I just so love them, I just so love everyone, just like Jesus.

Oh the lessons I learn from this little one!

4. A new character house to live in!

5. Visits with friends.

6. My husband who knows me, loves me, understands me, but most importantly prays for me.

7. Packages from the North Pole. The magic and miraculous signs of Christmas are definitely present. So much so, that it had both of us choking back tears, and two little ones thanking Jesus! Still in shock and extremely blessed!!

8. The magical, wonderful, joyful, blessed and true gift of Christmas--Jesus Christ!

Make sure you check in on Wednesday for my second 'wonderful Wednesday' giveaway!

Just thought I would leave you with this video that John showed me the other night! So cool!!

What would your sign(s) say?

My wonderful friend Heather had this amazing post on her blog. One thing that really draws me to Heather is that she is so open, honest and real. She does not pretend, she is not fake, she does not try and put on a 'show', make herself look good by putting others down. She has a wonderful heart, she is loving, she is humble, she is not perfect and she is not afraid to admit it. She is REAL. I like REAL people, I am drawn to REAL people (that is one of the reasons I also fell in love with my wonderful Hubby, because he is real, truthful, honest and vulnerable).

You have to check out this post that Heather linked to. I couldn't stop crying and it has really bothered me, affected me for a few days now. I couldn't even post a comment on Heather's blog for a few days after reading it, as it really choked me up. I guess it is something that the Lord has been kind of talking to me about lately and I have been struggling with listening and really hearing the message. Too many hurts, too many pains, too many people that I can't trust, that don't want to know who we really are, that can't see my signs, and when I do try and share those signs, they either look past them, or blame me for them, or don't even care about them.

You see I am not perfect, I am sinful, I have so many faults that need to be 'tweaked'. I am human though and I am loved by Jesus who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of my sins, my faults and my brokenness. I need JESUS because I can not live my life pretending to be someone I am not, pretending to be perfect, to have it all under control. Pretending that I have not been hurt by false accusations, assumptions and lies about myself and my family. Pretending and just sweeping these things away like it is no big deal. I am human, I have emotions and I have struggles.

I wear many signs lately, but I wear them on my heart. I can not wear them openly because I can not trust those that I should be able to trust and confide in and am blamed for the signs that I do try and 'wear'. Sometimes we go through struggles, pain, hardship and it is not because of anything we have done. However, having people tell you that 'you have had too much bad luck' (which translates into we want nothing to do with you, you're an embarrassment and we therefore we will never help you out), 'you blame everyone else for your problems' (thanks for listening and really taking the time to HEAR me), 'it's your fault you are in the position that you are in' (now that is compassion and understanding), well that makes me want to hide my signs forever and lock them away so that no body can hurt me or truly understand me and know me (signs and all).

A few weeks ago we heard a sermon at church about the importance of community, fellowship, of being vulnerable and real with one another. That sometimes we go through struggles so that we can help others that are going through something similar, or so we can have that compassion and understanding towards those that are enduring hardships. There is this 'trust' issue that I truly struggle with. I don't trust people enough to be open and vulnerable with them, and in part it affects my relationship with the Lord. I know that I can trust the Lord to help me, encourage me, and to just take the pain, hardship and struggles from me, but I struggle even doing that. I struggle believing that I am worth that (even though I know that I am). I struggle with allowing the Lord to take my burdens and to just hand them all over to Him and trust (there is that word again) Him to take care of me. I believe those lies, those false assumptions, those wrong accusations when I know that I shouldn't and don't have too.

I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29

I read His words, yet I still struggle. I will continue to wear my signs on my heart and will try to hand them over to Him. Perhaps one day I may even be able to wear my signs openly, however until that time, I desire to be more open, understanding, compassionate and discerning so that I don't miss others' signs.

So what would your sign(s) say and would you wear it/them openly?

GrEightful

Oh so much to be grateful for.....even if it is the little, simple things in my life, it is still good to reflect on those.

This week I am grateful for:

1. My awesome husband and our wonderful marriage. We had a challenging (well I thought it was) message today in church about marriage. I am still processing everything and need to get some time alone with the Lord on this too!

2. The life that the Lord has blessed me with. We never know when our time is up and I am so blessed for the years that I have had thus far.

3. My two beauties and their crazy antics and things they say! I love those two to bits and pieces!

4. A great day home that the kids seem to enjoy. Plus she is super flexible and accommodating!

5. Great conversations with co-workers about the Lord.

6. Online Christmas card orders. How convenient!

7. Supper with friends and a chance to get to know one another better. Lots of laughs and good times.

8. New jobs. Yes I said jobs and I will have to explain this in another post. I am amazed at how God provides and knows what He is doing. I start the first one on Tuesday and am super excited about it. It truly is a 'dream' job and one that I thought I would never get (one that I also applied for way back in May--before we even moved to SK).

Simple Woman Daybook #9

For Today . . . November 19, 2010

Outside my window... It is dark,and really cold (-20 this morning and a lot of snow) with a full moon shining brightly.

I am thankful...for so much, but especially my wonderful kids and incredible hubby! :o)

I am also thankful...for an awesome God who provides for us in unique ways.

I am praying...for family members, a friend who's family is going through some difficult times and for God to speak to us about some challenges and things we are about to face.

I am praying...for the start of a new journey next week and for safe travels to and from.

I am thinking... about all of the things that I need to get accomplished this weekend and about spending some much needed quality time with my family.

I am celebrating...my last day or work at Staples and a new, exciting beginning on Tuesday.

From the kitchen...nothing really tonight as it was just Zech and I.

I am wearing...jeans and my work t-shirt (still).

I am reading...the Bible, and an awesome book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love. This weeks chapter "Lukewarm Christians" was really challenging!

I am hoping...that I can get a good nights sleep and that the little ones may actually sleep in.

I am also hoping.....that John will get lots done for his courses this weekend.

I am hearing...a movie and the sound of John working out.

I am creating...well I just finished our Christmas Cards and sent them to be printed.

Around the house... it's very 'Christmasy'! Lots of lights and it is actually clean! (John cleaned today).

One of my favorite things....spending time with my beautiful kids and laughing at the incredibly cute things they do and say!

A few plans for the rest of the week...having some friends over, church, working on some incredibly important documents (eeek) and starting a new job.

A picture thought I am sharing with you....

Mr. tough guy look!

And The Winner is....

First before I announce the winner, I just want to take some time to 'remember' and pay tribute to the amazing men, women and children who sacrificed so much to give us the freedom we have. Unfortunately it is something that we take for granted and seem to forget, and I write this as in a few hours I have to go to work and will not even get a chance to pay tribute to the courageous people that helped shape this country. Happy Remembrance Day and let's not forget the amazing sacrifice that was made for all of us.

Thank you all for the comments and for the words of encouragement. I am really excited for some of the amazing giveaways that will be coming up. So remember to check back the first Wednesday of every month and leave a comment!! :o)

And now the winner is......


MELANIE

(we did the draw the old fashioned way using a Bob the Builder hat)




Melanie chose #1

1. Provide Water in an Emergency - helps distribute water purification kits or set up community water filters. Value: $35

This one is right up her alley. I was chatting with her just yesterday (as I was reminding her in a loving, sisterly way that she hadn't commented) about water purification and how during her time in University they did a lot of studying about water purification. A good friend of hers was also in Cambodia helping distribute these kits. I was also telling her that I have a new appreciation for water purification and how much we take it for granted, as we are under a water boil advisory for almost a week and it is really challenging.

Congrats Melanie! (I have all of your information, so not to worry) :o)

Thanks again for all of the comments and for sharing your hearts with me!

Blessings always!

Wonderful Wednesday

So I am doing something new, something I haven't wanted to really do, something that I am a little afraid of doing, but something that I have really felt led to do. Make sense. No probably not, and it doesn't really make sense to me neither. These last few months have been the hardest months that we have ever had to endure. So many struggles on so many levels. However, it is also during these times that we have also had the most growth and learning (I know so cliche, but the Bible does talk of this and it really isn't that easy when we are in the midst of it).

One of the biggest struggles I have had is my want, my desire, my need to get more involved in the Ministry somehow, in serving the Lord. I have come to recognize through a lot of prayer and discussions with the Lord, that my most important Ministry right now is my family. I cherish that, I love that, but I also want to do more. I have been broken, brought to tears, cried out because of the brutality and brokenness of this fallen world. I want to "do something" and not just cry, pray, talk about it, but really make a difference. BUT HOW?? That has been my question. We are poor, lowly students, struggling to just stay afloat. There is zero time left for anything in our busy, busy schedules right now as we struggle to stay 'afloat', but I (ok we) have heard the Lord speak to us about this pretty loud, pretty clear.

I got the idea to do something on my blog a couple of months ago. Honestly though, I have been a big fat chicken! Fear has gripped me. WHY, because it is not like I have a huge following on my blog and what if I do a give-away and nobody comments--who would I pick for the give-away? See, FEAR!! I know that this is not the voice or the way of the Lord, I know where this fear is coming from. Let me make this clear as well, I am not doing this so that I can get more comments on my blog, so that it is some type of popularity contest, or self seeking righteous act. I am doing this because I love the Lord so much and I know that I need to be obedient and serve HIM. I am doing this because I want to somehow make a difference, even if it is the smallest, slightest difference, it is better than sitting back and doing nothing. I need to do this because there are so many wonderful people that need, no deserve to be honoured and yes even recognized for the sacrifices they make and the differences they are making in this world. I am doing this because, most importantly it is Biblical.

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 25:40

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

So let the Wonderful Wednesday begin. The first Wednesday of every month I will be doing a 'giveaway' that will honour and bring awareness to either an organization that I have been touched by or a person/people that are seeking support and making a difference.

The first giveaway is from an amazing Organization called 'Samaritans Purse'. Every year we partake in the Operation Christmas Child boxes. We just finished our boxes on the weekend. They have been opened, repacked and sought after so much these last few days, that I had to hide them. The kids boths really got into them! If you have never done the 'Christmas shoe boxes' before, I really encourage you to. It is such an amazing way to give and spread the joy of Christmas to those less fortunate. Every time I watch the videos I tear up. A good friend of mine (Heather) also had the privilege of handing out these amazing boxes in Mexico one year. What an incredible experience, which I wish I could have her share with us on this blog!

With that being said, Samaritans Purse also sends out an 'International Relief Gift Catalog' with some pretty incredible gifts. "In the pages of this Gift Catalog, you will find gifts that will honor your family and friends by touching the lives of people struggling in the developing world." I have went through the catalog and picked out a few that I would like to honor to one of my lucky readers. I will pay for the gift, but put it in the lucky readers name.

Here are the choices:

1. Provide Water in an Emergency - helps distribute water purification kits or set up community water filters.
Value: $35

2. Give Hope to a Child - will help provide a child with life's necessities in dire circumstances.
Value: $45

3. Help a Farmer Increase Production - provides a farmer with training to increase crop and herb yields.
Value: $40

Please leave a comment stating which gift you would chose and why. I would also like to know of any organizations or people that you support or would love to support.

Comments will be open until next Wednesday, with the winner announced on Thursday (Remembrance Day).


God Bless!

Sneak Peak for next month.....

An amazing woman, organization that has brought me to tears on her blog so many times!!