Worship with Sadie

This last weekend, Sadie and I were in church singing.  It was a week like any other.  I have her stand on the chairs so she can see the worship leader and the words on the screen.  She loves to sing, so normally she is belting out whatever song is being sung.  Usually I put my arm around her so I can make sure she is safe, but this past week she put her sweet little arms around my neck. 

We sang the first couple worship songs and then moved into the old hymn, "I Surrender All."  I'm not sure the last time we have sung that song at our campus, but Sadie picked up on the chorus ever so quickly.  Her sweet voice softly sung the melody and as we sung, God brought me back to a moment that took place about 7 years ago.  Eric and I had been married a couple of years and we were wanting a baby, but were having difficulty conceiving and then once we would become pregnant, my body had difficulties staying pregnant. In this particular moment, I was sitting at our kitchen table in our very first home.  It was early in the morning before I needed to be at work and I had my Bible open, but wasn't reading it.  Instead I was resting on it and crying.  I was in a moment where I was struggling with life as I thought it should be and surrendering life at the feet of Christ.  It was a very raw time in my life.

As we continued to sing, I was overcome with the blessings God has given me in our children.  He indeed heard my cries.  I was thankful, but I was also challenged.... to keep that hand open.  To not hold to tightly.  To surrender my life... their lives... Eric's life to Christ daily.  We are His first.  He is capable of the ins and outs of each of our lives.  He is trustworthy.

Awkward Silence

It's been a while since my last post!  In fact, if you were a regular follower, you probably thought that Kindergarten killed me!  Surprise... I survived.  I'm not going to lie... it was a HUGE transition for this mama that likes everyone home, but it has given us opportunities to be a blessing and to be blessed.  I needed some time away to process and journal through that season... some time away just to do life.  I'll share about that in the next few days... some pictures... and randomness, I'm sure!  Thanks for waiting on me!

Great Finger Paint...

We love to craft and make messes around here!  Recently I found a recipe for finger paint from Easie Peasie and we gave it a try!  It turned out faboulously finger painty!

Homemade Finger Paints
3T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 cup corn starch
2 cups water

Combine ingredients in saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until mixture thickens... I stood there contemplating whether it was done or not, but you'll know it when it's done for sure, all of a sudden it turns into the perfect consistency.  Put into containers and mix in food coloring!  Wah-lah! 

Happy Painting!

Trying not to hold her too tightly...

1st Day of Kindergarten

The August 23rd entry in my Jesus Calling book by Sarah Young really resonated yesterday....

Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care.  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.  If you let your loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself. 

When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch and see what I will do.

This was timely

Tomorrow is our big day!  Sadie starts Kindergarten... I know everyone says it, but it's true - I can hardly believe this day is here.  Tonight I was reading from my Jesus Calling book and today's passage came at a good moment...

Accept each day just as it comes to you.  Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances.  Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes.  Remember that nothing can separate you (or Sadie) from  My loving Presence; you (and Sadie) are Mine.  (italics mine... but wouldn't that have been over the top cool if Sadie's name had been in my book tonight!?)

Part of this excerpt is from Isaiah 43:1... I'm going to work on memorizing this week!
Isaiah 43:1
"But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you, he who formed you: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

Back to School Count Down!

We count down events around here based on how many sleeps we have until the big day.  School is just 8 sleeps away!  Today I made a count down chain to help us get ready for the 1st day of School!  

Count Down!

Every night we will tear off a piece of the chain.  I have put a verse on the back of each one for us to read and talk about how it relates to school.  Here are the verses I am using, if you'd like to do the same!

• 8 - Psalm 56:3 - When I'm afraid I will trust in God.
• 7 - Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.
• 6 - Romans 15:13a - May God fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him.
• 5 - Psalm 73:22 - I am always with you.  You hold me by your right hand.
• 4 - Philippians 2:14 - Do everything without complaining or grumbling.
• 3 - Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything.  Pray about everything and the peace of God will guard your hearts.
• 2 - Philippians 4:8 - Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
• 1 - Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

Note: Many of theses verses are NIV or ESV... If you see one that doesn't line up with that, it's a KF (Kristen Franklin) summary to better help our little ones with some of the wordiness or terminology.  :)

Stop and take it all in...

On the way home from church the other day, Sadie spotted a group of ants working together to carry something... I never could figure out what it was.  They both stopped for awhile to watch them.  I love how kids can spot the simplest things and enjoy their wonder... makes me want to do the same!

Ant watching!