All I can do is pray

I have recently learned that a couple I have known for 11 years just seperated. My best friend is having a trying time in her relationship. And the couple from church that I mentioned a while back, the father left his family. It was a big deal at church last night, because he was head deacon and the rest of the family is very involved in everything the church does. To me, they were a pretty great family. I am in shock, and my heart breaks not only for them, but for everyone I just mentioned.

I have wondered in the past how when people say the Lord spoke to them one way or another, how exactly they knew that. It never really clicked to me. Lately, however, I have certain people pop into my heart and I just say a prayer for them. I don't know what I'm praying for, I just pray. In the past few days, I have been told why I needed to pray for two of the people that God put on my heart. I get it now. Maybe I was expecting the clouds to open, or hear a deep voice in my head that would talk to me. But what happened was that their names just popped into my head, and I felt the need to pray.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.     Hebrews 4:16

Oh Mirena........

After I had Mason, 4 1/2 years ago, the cool thing to do was to get a Mirena. They were still fairly new so I didn't know a whole lot about it, other than I wouldn't have to worry about birth control for 5 YEARS!!!! Sold! I loved the thought of that! And it has been very nice. Now, it is time to think about what the next step is. Do I get another one? Does Steven get a vasectomy? Do we just play the odds and maybe have another baby? I hate making decisions! And this is a doosey of one! I started looking online about complications from having it and from getting it removed. Wow! I wish I could have read all of it 5 years ago. I am showing a lot of the same symptoms that these other women are from having it, I just never thought that my having a Mirena was the cause of them. Like weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and moodiness. Now that I know that it is causing all of these things, why on Earth would I want another one? But it has been so nice to not worry about if we were careful enough or if I took a pill. And a little part of me would like to get pregnant again, but I don't know. Then I would have another child to feed, clothe, and raise. That kinda scares me. All I can do is have faith that God will tell us what decision to make.

Working on me

I know it has been a minute since I have written anything. I feel like I am just non-stop with everything. But, I swear, nothing ever gets done! How does that even out?!
Anyways, I recently found out someone I would have never guessed was having marital problems. Just listening to her talk about her problems made me think about myself. As of now, we have no problems in our marriage, but the things she said hit home, and I am sure a problem could arise in the future. (It's kinda hard to talk about while being very vague!) So, I have been trying to work on myself. I need to get closer to God! This is kinda hard for me because that's not what I have been used to for my whole life. I am trying though. I have always made excuses why I can't do all of the activities at church, but I am working on being more involved. I can't just jump in head first, because I don't want to freak myself out, I guess. But, if I just slowly work this into my life, I think it would be better. I hope this is the right thing to do. I have been praying for God to lead me into what he wants me to do.

Please and thank you

Barney taught us a long time ago that please and thank you are the magic words, so why have they been deleted from so many people's vocabulary?! I try to be as respectful as possible to everyone else, because that's how I want to be treated. It is so easy to say. And it means so much to the person you are saying it to. I give a "thank you wave" to anyone who lets me in front of them in traffic. I say thank you at least twice anytime someone helps me in any way. And while I'm at it, I will throw in "excuse me" too! If I squeeze my basket by you in the grocery store, I will throw in an "excuse me" with a smile. Why am I the only one doing this? I don't understand when everyone got so rude.

With that being said, I have to remind myself to always thank God for what he has blessed me with. It is so easy to just want to ask him to better our lives or perform a miracle, that we forget to thank Him just for letting us awaken today, or let us see His wonderful creations. Our pastor touched on this subject this Sunday, so that's where this started. But the fact that I work with the public, and I actually venture out into public every so often, just gives me more ammunition.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.    Colossians 3:15-17

Remember to always thank God that you woke up today. We might all want to ask Him to heal someone sick, or lead us to a better job, or some other request, but we must tell Him "thank you" just for being Him!

Lead Me

On my way home after dropping the kids off at school this morning, I turn up the radio so I can actually hear the music. The Sanctus Real song "Lead Me" was playing. If you have ever listened to this song, it is pretty moving. But this morning, it hit me hard. Obviously, God was using this to speak to my heart. I broke down crying when I got home. I can't get it out of my head. When I read my daily devotional today, it went right along with the song. It says to not only talk to the Lord in the morning or your prayer time, but to remember to speak to Him all day.

Lately, we have been talking a lot about the way we have been raising the kids. We have always been pretty leaniant with them and never really paid attention to how we act in front of them. And its starting to backfire. Taytum has developed an attitude. She stomps off when she doesn't get her way and slams her bedroom door. I know I did the same thing, but I can't stand her acting like that. Then, I caught Brayden lying to me about how many fruit snacks he had. Punishing him doesn't bother him at all. So I made him write out 25 times "The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in men who are truthful. Proverbs 12:22". You would have thought I crushed all his hopes and dreams. But, hopefully, he will remember that next time he thinks about lying.

Steven and I have also decided that we need to work on our attitudes and how we act around the children. We need to lead them. I will get upset when someone skips me in the checkout line or doesn't give me the "thank you" wave when I let them in front of me in traffic. Steven has always been the softy. I can get on to the kids for something, but they know that when I got ot work, they can get their way with daddy. He has learned that he needs to lead the children, well us all really, the way the Lord expects him to.

Check out Sanctus Real's "Lead Me" here

A weekend away

Steven and I got to go out of town this past weekend, WITH NO KIDS!! It was so nice to not have to constantly do a head count to make sure everyone is there! We went to Magic Springs in Hot Springs, AR with another couple. We went to see the Newsboys, which was amazing by the way!

If you ever get a chance to see them, DO IT!!! They put on an awesome show. I already want to go to another one! Steven plays the drums at our church, so he really enjoys the craziness of their drummer. I just enjoy their style of music. The way their spread the word and God's love is awesome! I felt a little guilty not taking the kids, but mommy and daddy need alone time too. The couple that went with us had never been away without their 5 kids. And it was their anniversary. So, it was a much needed weekend for everyone!

Back to School

Well, the kids went back to school this week. It is nice to be back in a routine, but I have to say I do miss the kids not being here all day. I have been really nervous about Taytum going to the intermediate school for the past 2 years. Now she is there and I am probably more nervous than she is! I know how mean kids can be and how they thrive on hurting others and crushing their thoughts of the tooth fairy and Santa. I just pray every day that no one is hurtful to my baby! I pray that the Lord keeps his hand on her shoulder and keeps her strong.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.       Deuteronomy 31:6

I have to just remember this! It is so hard! I want to protect my children with all my might, but also they need to know how the world is. We all have people around us that are mean and want to crush our spirits. We have to learn how to deal with others like that without letting them get in our heads. It's just so hard...

Let's all keep the students and teachers in our prayers for a safe and wonderful school year.

Enjoy the day

I went to register the kids for school today. What a bittersweet moment. I am ready to get back on a regular schedule, but I am tired of my babies growing up so fast. I feel like we rush through every day, anticipating what is coming next. We all need to slow down and enjoy the day we are given. I am just as guilt as the next person, wishing away my life. I love a countdown. Especially one leading to a vacation.

My husband and I were looking through some old pictures on the computer from when our oldest was about 2 or 3. I don't even remember taking some of the pictures! It's really sad. I feel like my brain is skipping the little things and only remembering the big things. I am always telling everyone to embace today because none of us are promised tomorrow.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.            Psalm 32:8

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight        Psalm 119:35

That is the message my daily devotional gave me today. I got my devotional book around Christmas time. I had never had one before. I have done pretty good reading it just about every day this year. And every day it seems to tell me just what I need to read. It's amazing what God puts in our paths at just the right times. It is just a reminder of how awesome our God really is!!

Good Morning

As I am lying in my bed this morning, a little awake, but mostly still asleep, I hear a scream come from the living room. "MOMMA!!!! COME IN HERE!!!!!" I jump out of bed, about breaking my back, and sprint into the living room. All I can think is the worst. Is someone in the house?! Is the house on fire?! Brayden! Momma's coming! As I make the long 15 foot sprint into the room, I see him lying on the couch, pillow under his head and blanket over his little body. "What?! What is it, honey?!" I say a tiny bit out of breathe, which is extremely sad! "I'm hungry" he says, as nonchalantly as possible. Geez!

I get my over-anxious-oh-my-goodness-the-worst-is-about-to-happen-ness from my mom. She freaks out if you gasp about anything. How does one get over this?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.      Philippians 4:6-7

I know prayer won't stop me from jumping up and thinking the worst when I hear one of my kids scream, but it will help ease my mind to know that we are being protected by our God.

On a side note: I was told last night that my boss/friend's car was stolen from her driveway Sunday morning. Luckily, her and her family were not harmed. I pray that they find peace and are protected during this trying time. Also, a regular at work who is really a great friend to my family, was injured in a fall Saturday night. I pray that she heals quickly.

Tiffany

Let's do this!

I decided I needed to start a blog, along with everyone else in the world. I have lots of thoughts everyday and I need to share them with whoever would like to read them. First, a little about myself: I am married to my wonderful husband, Steven, we have 3 very energetic children, Taytum, Brayden, and Mason, and we have a crazy dog named Daisy. Everyday is an adventure with our family. You never know what one of the kids will say or do. But they keep us young.
I am a typical girl in that I like everything that is pink or sparkles. I also love baseball. Go Braves!!
You will learn more about all of us as the days pass. I look forward to sharing our stories.

May God bless you in all you do!