My daughter, Kiera, is a wonder to me. Her skills of observation are razor-sharp, her awareness of others keen. Nothing is unseen or goes unheard to her six-year-old eyes and ears.
She told me the other night that she raised her hands for the first time in worship. She was with a group of 20 or so kids and someone was playing guitar and leading songs.
So many firsts for my little girl and this one tops the list. She is connecting with her heart to God.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
A Welcome Change
Rain falls on the soil of the earth, on the leaves of a plant and waters it. It takes more rain to reach down, through the earth to refresh and revitalize the plant in reaching its roots.
This- is how change affects me.
A little change, and it just get my leaves wet. No big deal. Bring on alot of it and my life is in a downpour.
You could say that I am at the place where I have finally opened up to receive it. To turn my head to the water and let it refresh me all the way down to the roots of my soul.
Friends and mentors have come and gone. Some have stayed. New friends and mentors have come.
Seasons of winter have passed. Spring has come, bringing with it a song, to fill my heart and rise to my lips.
With change comes reawakened hope that I will indeed see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
This- is how change affects me.
A little change, and it just get my leaves wet. No big deal. Bring on alot of it and my life is in a downpour.
You could say that I am at the place where I have finally opened up to receive it. To turn my head to the water and let it refresh me all the way down to the roots of my soul.
Friends and mentors have come and gone. Some have stayed. New friends and mentors have come.
Seasons of winter have passed. Spring has come, bringing with it a song, to fill my heart and rise to my lips.
With change comes reawakened hope that I will indeed see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Just a day in the life...
Today is Thursday. Everybody is back to school. Everyone's schedule and season has changed overnight. For me, it has, anyway. My daughter started kindergarten four days ago. What a change. It is a good change but one that takes adjusting too, nonetheless.
Where did summer go?
I am thankful to have spent many days this summer with my daughters at the pool. They learned to jump in and to swim better this year.
I took a late night walk last night and stopped at the place where I watched my daughter ride her bike for the first time. I recalled the day she learned to walk and never stopped moving since. I re-played in my mind how I felt as Julianna and I watched her walk around the corner to her new school and new phase of life. It hit me yesterday. This is what I have raised her for- to be independent, respectful, a learner and to know who she is. Here she is at five years old making her way into the world.:) My husband informed me that we are a quarter into the time that she'll be home with us, that is, if we get 20 years at home with her.
So much is in my mind and heart right now, but I find that my time is such a treasured thing. I don't seem to have the luxury of writing as much as I would like. How do I prioritize that which is meaningful to me beyond the daily tasks and all the other stuff? Time will tell.
For now I find a moment to sit, enjoy my red flowers on the table before me and some coffee.
Have a great day,
Michelle
Where did summer go?
I am thankful to have spent many days this summer with my daughters at the pool. They learned to jump in and to swim better this year.
I took a late night walk last night and stopped at the place where I watched my daughter ride her bike for the first time. I recalled the day she learned to walk and never stopped moving since. I re-played in my mind how I felt as Julianna and I watched her walk around the corner to her new school and new phase of life. It hit me yesterday. This is what I have raised her for- to be independent, respectful, a learner and to know who she is. Here she is at five years old making her way into the world.:) My husband informed me that we are a quarter into the time that she'll be home with us, that is, if we get 20 years at home with her.
So much is in my mind and heart right now, but I find that my time is such a treasured thing. I don't seem to have the luxury of writing as much as I would like. How do I prioritize that which is meaningful to me beyond the daily tasks and all the other stuff? Time will tell.
For now I find a moment to sit, enjoy my red flowers on the table before me and some coffee.
Have a great day,
Michelle
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thankfulness on a Wednesday
Thank you, Father, for blessing me with a new travel coffee cup to replace my green one that I somehow misplaced. Thank you that that is a metaphor with what you do in my life!
I get so bummed about losing stuff in my life; be it a loved one, a season that was so good in my life, things I am comfortable with and like the routine of... and yet, you faithfully show me that in loss there is something to be attained.
Losing my mother-in-law recently, grieving in her passing, brought my husband and I closer, with each other and with our family and friends.
Though my immediate family is so far from me geographically, my life is enriched as I open up to my friends, those around me and to my church people.
Having children and being a stay-at-home-mom made me miss the work I used to do everyday with Jake in staffing schools and going on outreaches. Yet, I am blown away by the continual training of my heart and responses to my imperfect, precious and fragile children. My little "Joy" and "Grace." (Kiera Joy and Julianna Rose)
You take the things in our lives that cause heartache and sorrow and you are able to create such beautiful and new experiences and lessons for us to learn. Most of all, you work your transforming power in our hearts and teach us about our need for love and our need to love.
Papa, you are the greatest joy to me!! I love you with all of my heart! Keep showing me how much you love and desire me and I will keep praising you in painful times and in happy times. You are the greatest desire of my heart and life. May my children and my children's children see you in the great and private moments of their lives. In times when you heal someone of cancer and in times when you provide for the smallest and most intimate of their needs, like a replacement travel coffee cup or a hand of a friend that gives theirs a squeeze.
Thank you for how perfect Your love is.
I get so bummed about losing stuff in my life; be it a loved one, a season that was so good in my life, things I am comfortable with and like the routine of... and yet, you faithfully show me that in loss there is something to be attained.
Losing my mother-in-law recently, grieving in her passing, brought my husband and I closer, with each other and with our family and friends.
Though my immediate family is so far from me geographically, my life is enriched as I open up to my friends, those around me and to my church people.
Having children and being a stay-at-home-mom made me miss the work I used to do everyday with Jake in staffing schools and going on outreaches. Yet, I am blown away by the continual training of my heart and responses to my imperfect, precious and fragile children. My little "Joy" and "Grace." (Kiera Joy and Julianna Rose)
You take the things in our lives that cause heartache and sorrow and you are able to create such beautiful and new experiences and lessons for us to learn. Most of all, you work your transforming power in our hearts and teach us about our need for love and our need to love.
Papa, you are the greatest joy to me!! I love you with all of my heart! Keep showing me how much you love and desire me and I will keep praising you in painful times and in happy times. You are the greatest desire of my heart and life. May my children and my children's children see you in the great and private moments of their lives. In times when you heal someone of cancer and in times when you provide for the smallest and most intimate of their needs, like a replacement travel coffee cup or a hand of a friend that gives theirs a squeeze.
Thank you for how perfect Your love is.
Coffee-triggered Memories
After a fun evening of dinner at a favorite restaurant, double-dating
with some good friends, we went over to their house and I was
introduced to an exciting new game called "Ticket to Ride." All that fun
made me tired today. So, after a morning $1 movie with the kids and
lunch we hit the sack for some naps and got up at 5pm!:) Thus, I am
having "morning" coffee now while waiting for rice to cook for tonight's
fried rice dinner. :)
As I breathed in the fragrant, intoxicating aroma of Starbucks morning blend I reached for the french vanilla creamer which is a staple in our house. I felt that it was nearly empty and poured what remained into my cup. There is a little trick I learned from my dad and as I did it I was surprised with how second-nature something had become that came from him! I took the pitcher of hot coffee and poured a little into the plastic creamer container, closed it's lid, and shook it up so I could get all of the creamer goodness which remained. The thought hit me, "Man, that is so funny that I do that! It's just like my dad."
I started thinking, "What others things do I do that I learned from my dad?"
What things do you do that you learned from your father's example? Does anything come to mind?
As I breathed in the fragrant, intoxicating aroma of Starbucks morning blend I reached for the french vanilla creamer which is a staple in our house. I felt that it was nearly empty and poured what remained into my cup. There is a little trick I learned from my dad and as I did it I was surprised with how second-nature something had become that came from him! I took the pitcher of hot coffee and poured a little into the plastic creamer container, closed it's lid, and shook it up so I could get all of the creamer goodness which remained. The thought hit me, "Man, that is so funny that I do that! It's just like my dad."
I started thinking, "What others things do I do that I learned from my dad?"
What things do you do that you learned from your father's example? Does anything come to mind?
Monday, March 19, 2012
Mommy Encouragement
So, I am up early this morning- a rarity, let me tell you. I can't decide whether to spend my morning going for a walk or relaxing and taking a slow and long shower. I will probably do the latter choice. The cold outside or a hot shower, hmm...difficult choice.:) I am having cramps this morning, so I must track down some meds as well.
So, to the mothers out there feeling tired and stressed (like me) here is a verse to bring you rest. Matthew 11:28 Message version- "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." Aww, sigh of rest and relief.
I am so thankful for my husband who works really hard and cares for me and his daughters so selflessly. I am thankful for my parents who have stayed together for 33 years. I enjoy thinking about moments growing up and how great my parents are. I am thankful for two lovely, amazing little girls- for my eldest who will be turning five in one month and how great she is! For my little girl, Julianna, who loves being with Mommy, and doesn't like it when I am upset with her. I am thankful for days of rain and two days of sunshine. I am thankful for good friends coming over and playing Settlers of Cataan (Brad and Rosie!).
Brad and Rosie are going to MN to continue their education. We will miss them. I am looking forward to taking time after our base Monday meeting to having a gathering to share our thanks for their last 6 years of service here at YWAM Chico. Then we will pray and send them off. I picked up a cake and flowers for them yesterday. Jake had ordered it several days ago. It bears the colors of Brad's Vikings team- deep purple and white. How sweet.:)
So, rather than tightening my body at the thought that Kiera may have been missing out on t-ball practices all month that she has been looking forward to because I haven't gotten a hold of the coach, I take a deep breath, relax, and rest knowing that God is in control and He cares for me. I receive His rest this morning. I hear the song "Come To Me" by Jenn Johnson in my head and know God is drawing me and calling to me today to Himself. I draw close, breath in the fragrance of His embrace and relax.
Today I want to simply receive His love and grace all day. Blessed Monday to you. What are you going to be doing today? How are you feeling about things?
So, to the mothers out there feeling tired and stressed (like me) here is a verse to bring you rest. Matthew 11:28 Message version- "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." Aww, sigh of rest and relief.
I am so thankful for my husband who works really hard and cares for me and his daughters so selflessly. I am thankful for my parents who have stayed together for 33 years. I enjoy thinking about moments growing up and how great my parents are. I am thankful for two lovely, amazing little girls- for my eldest who will be turning five in one month and how great she is! For my little girl, Julianna, who loves being with Mommy, and doesn't like it when I am upset with her. I am thankful for days of rain and two days of sunshine. I am thankful for good friends coming over and playing Settlers of Cataan (Brad and Rosie!).
Brad and Rosie are going to MN to continue their education. We will miss them. I am looking forward to taking time after our base Monday meeting to having a gathering to share our thanks for their last 6 years of service here at YWAM Chico. Then we will pray and send them off. I picked up a cake and flowers for them yesterday. Jake had ordered it several days ago. It bears the colors of Brad's Vikings team- deep purple and white. How sweet.:)
So, rather than tightening my body at the thought that Kiera may have been missing out on t-ball practices all month that she has been looking forward to because I haven't gotten a hold of the coach, I take a deep breath, relax, and rest knowing that God is in control and He cares for me. I receive His rest this morning. I hear the song "Come To Me" by Jenn Johnson in my head and know God is drawing me and calling to me today to Himself. I draw close, breath in the fragrance of His embrace and relax.
Today I want to simply receive His love and grace all day. Blessed Monday to you. What are you going to be doing today? How are you feeling about things?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Unmerited Favor
I remember a little saying that is on a salt container. The picture shows a little girl holding an umbrella and she is spilling salt on the ground as she walks. The cursive sentence goes like this, "When it rains, it pours." :) This is precisely what last week was like for me and several others that live here at YWAM Chico. First, I got sick. It was some strange flu-bug that zapped me of all physical energy and made me sleep like a drugged human being. I am so grateful that my kids didn't suffer very much. They watched a ton of t.v, though. Whatever works, you know? All you moms that have been sick while attending to children know. Second, some dear friends told us that they were leaving for school in Salem and that evening we experienced the shock of learning that our neighbor, Tim had passed away. Man, what a week!
Thankfully, I am feeling so much better now! Just before all of this happened I had been experiencing an emotional upheaval. I didn't feel loved, cared for, noticed, etc. The whispers of rejection were choking my breath and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I thought the problem was that Jake needed to understand me better and I took all these suggestions to him. I thought I needed to live close to my mother so that she could be near me and my daughters and that this would make me feel better. I laid on my bed, crying and I let out all of the pain I was holding inside. My mind was swirling with thoughts that had no solution and I felt helpless with no resolution. (That sentence kinda rhymes.) Anyway, all of a sudden, this huge torrent of pain from a lifelong wound hit me. My body doubled up at the intensity of this emotional pain. God said to me, "Michelle, I am delivering you." He also told me, "Michelle, what you need is not _____, what you need is affection. This tough thing you do is not who you really are. You are actually very sensitive." Then , all of a sudden it was gone, the pain was gone. I felt light and free, just like that. It was like dark and light, how quickly things changed. I got out of the bed and told Jake what happened. He was so happy and hugged me and I could feel his love. All of a sudden, I could feel and receive love from God and from other people!! YAY!!!!!!
I am seeing how much we need the ongoing knowledge of God's love. We might know He loves us in our head but it hasn't completely ransacked our heart.
I leave you with this portion of scripture from THE MESSAGE translation of the Bible, Romans 8: 31-39.
"So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us--who was raised to life for us!--is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture...None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing--nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master embraced us."
My hope is that you will be set free from whatever keeps you from experiencing the intimate love of God and that you will feel His warm embrace today and everyday of your life. He is WITH us and it changes everything when you live in this truth! I love you and pray your heart will be filled with God's love today. It is deep, it fills and restores every part of you rbeing. It is wonderful and free and all it takes is us opening our heart to Papa.
With love!
Michelle
Thankfully, I am feeling so much better now! Just before all of this happened I had been experiencing an emotional upheaval. I didn't feel loved, cared for, noticed, etc. The whispers of rejection were choking my breath and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I thought the problem was that Jake needed to understand me better and I took all these suggestions to him. I thought I needed to live close to my mother so that she could be near me and my daughters and that this would make me feel better. I laid on my bed, crying and I let out all of the pain I was holding inside. My mind was swirling with thoughts that had no solution and I felt helpless with no resolution. (That sentence kinda rhymes.) Anyway, all of a sudden, this huge torrent of pain from a lifelong wound hit me. My body doubled up at the intensity of this emotional pain. God said to me, "Michelle, I am delivering you." He also told me, "Michelle, what you need is not _____, what you need is affection. This tough thing you do is not who you really are. You are actually very sensitive." Then , all of a sudden it was gone, the pain was gone. I felt light and free, just like that. It was like dark and light, how quickly things changed. I got out of the bed and told Jake what happened. He was so happy and hugged me and I could feel his love. All of a sudden, I could feel and receive love from God and from other people!! YAY!!!!!!
I am seeing how much we need the ongoing knowledge of God's love. We might know He loves us in our head but it hasn't completely ransacked our heart.
I leave you with this portion of scripture from THE MESSAGE translation of the Bible, Romans 8: 31-39.
"So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us--who was raised to life for us!--is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture...None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing--nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master embraced us."
My hope is that you will be set free from whatever keeps you from experiencing the intimate love of God and that you will feel His warm embrace today and everyday of your life. He is WITH us and it changes everything when you live in this truth! I love you and pray your heart will be filled with God's love today. It is deep, it fills and restores every part of you rbeing. It is wonderful and free and all it takes is us opening our heart to Papa.
With love!
Michelle
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