Proverbs 31 not 21!!

Recently I have struggled through saying no to various commitments I would love to do for the Lord. Our community group leaders, Mark and Amy Wenslawski, sent me an article that was really convicting and encouraging at the same time. As I desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman, I fear in my desire to do it all, I have become a Proverbs 21 woman!  Here is a short clip of the article they sent me from the gospel coalition:


"Many women's Bible studies discuss how to become a "Proverbs 31 woman." An excellent wife, who can find! These studies would also do well to caution women against becoming a "Proverbs 21 woman." "It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman (Proverbs 21:9, 19)...  Are you a quarrelsome and fretful wife? Are you the common denominator of dissension and strife in your home? Or are you a supportive and helpful wife? Are you building your home by God's grace in order to bring it under the headship of your husband to the glory of Jesus? Or do you foolishly tear down your home with your own hands (Proverbs 14:1)?"

My wonderful mentor Cindy McCary gave me some very wise words today. She told me a lot of times we try hard to do things the Lord has NOT called us to do. She also advised that only... and ONLY... when the ministry God has called you to is completely in order, can you even think about adding another ministry.  I have always known this in principal and have tried to apply it, but it has really "hit home" in the past month as my kids and hubby have needed me more than ever in the various stages of their lives.  There are only so many hours in the day, and all my hours are now filled up.  All other good and wonderful things I want to do for the Lord will have to wait until another season of life.  I have a new and divine peace in this area of my life, and I am loving my wonderful God who is so faithful to me and is always teaching me and guiding me. He sends people and circumstances consistently in my life that fit together like a puzzle to teach me things, there is no way it could all happen by chance. I would be insane if I didn't trust him fully.  He is so gentle, patient, and loving to me... my heart overflows with love back to Him!!  I am so grateful for all the wonderful people God has put in my life to encourage me and spur me on towards godliness!!

My Wild Thing

Katelyn Anna is two and a half!! We love our wild and crazy girl! She keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh constantly through each day. Katelyn is very independent and yet so very attached to me at the same time. She is brave and tough, but at the same time had a complete panic attack when she found a ladybug crawling on her leg. It is hilarious to hear the things that she talks about... including talking to inanimate objects. She will frequently talk to the birds and the clouds. She also has a fascination with crocodiles and runs around the house eating things and biting people as if she were an enormous crocodile, or calling out for help because she is falling into the crocodile lake. We have now nicknamed her Katie Crocodile.
We love our wild and crazy Katie! We hope she will never loose her loud and outgoing personality, while maintaining a "gentle and quiet sprit" for the Lord. She has shown great progress in her self control when it is needed, and has even memorized "Titus 2:5 Be self-controlled". We pray all that crazy energy will be harnessed for the Lord and she will serve Him tirelessly just like Anna of the Bible who she is named after.  Anna is introduced right after Jesus is introduced to the temple by Simeon. It is clear that Simeon and Anna are faithful people the Lord used to testify and spread the word about the deity of Jesus. Anna was wholly devoted to the Lord and I pray our family would follow this example. Serving the Lord day and night. Fasting. Praying. Speaking for the Lord to all those looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Lord may my sweet daughter follow in this woman's example and serve our Lord with enduring effort, and faithfully until the end!
Luke 2:36-38 "And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. ³⁸ At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

Me: "Katie, why do you have band aides in your hair?"

K: "Because I bumped my head on the table. It was very ouchy." 

4 years old!!

Our Sunshine girl is now 4! Sara Grace is a true light in our lives and we are so thankful for how she smiles freely and so often amidst the chaos that is our home. She has been a blessing to all of us. Sara loves to do art, play in the pool, sing songs (she has a sweet little voice that is oddly always on key), and play with Kalena. These two are inseparable and love playing Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony. She loves helping me with Katelyn and Andrew. Recently I found her and Katelyn playing a game of hide and go seek on their own. It was hilarious! They chose the same 2 places to hide over and over but the thrill of the game was the same every time. Sara's favorite color is still yellow, favorite animal is the bumble bee, and her favorite flowers are sunflowers. On her birthday, Sara made a drawing and declared "This picture is for God. I am going to save it and bring it to him when I go to Heaven." I LOVE the "child like" faith I see in my children. It always encourages me, and spurs me on to living with an increased eternal perspective. I pray Sara will always have this strong faith in her Creator and continue storing up treasures in heaven! What a wonderful 4 years it has been with Sara!!

Sara's Cubbies assignment: Draw what you think Heaven will look like.

Me: "Sara, tell me about your picture."

S: "There is God in the middle, and his disciples (pointing to the heads below) and there is me" (in the pink dress to the side)

Me: "What is that next to God?.... is that a table?"

S: "Yes. He is at the cafe."

Teething!

I have two little teething ones as of last week! Andrew has two new bottom teeth, and Kalena has her first wiggly tooth! It's an exciting time for teeth around here!