Faith as a Child

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

My husband and I are studying about faith. Hebrews 11:1 gives a straightforward definition for faith. You need to be certain of what you do not see and sure of what you hope for. That's basic but difficult for adults, namely me.

I am sure of what I'm hoping for, but certain of what I do not see, that's where the doubt seems to creep in. This next verse holds some important keys for me:

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Faith comes so much easier for my children than for me at times. When it's prayer time, they are willing to pray for whatever we need or whatever our friends need. I, on the other hand, seem to hesitate if I am not sure God will answer the prayer.

How did I get to this place of unbelief?

By living 42 years on this earth.

I know that God has performed many miracles in my life over the years, so why doubt?

Because I'm focusing too much on the times when the outcome didn't match my expectations.

Here's a sobering verse:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

The bottom line for me, I'm going to start asking God for whatever I need, and believe with childlike faith that He will deliver me. If He chooses not to, I will not be discouraged or despair because I know that God knows what is best for me and my family.

I'll start by asking God to increase my faith.

Thankful Thursday #32

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I am thankful that my husband is an optimist. Whenever I start to get a little down about something, he's always there to help my focus turn to God and heaven and it always improves. The best part is that I often have the chance to pass it along to my kids later on.

2) I am thankful that God's grace is upon us. We just found out that one of the AC units at our new house is not working because someone had cut the outside line and it ran without coolant in it. Fearing the worst (having to buy a new AC unit) we called in an HVAC guy. Much to our surprise, he told us later that the company (Lenox) was going to GIVE us the replacement parts to fix the unit. What? Did he say, "For free!" Now that's God's undeserved favor!

3) I am thankful that we are going to receive a $700 discount for installing a new tankless hot water heater at our new home! The gas company is promoting them and offering the discount! There's that favor again.

4) I am thankful that I can take the time to encourage my children when they are feeling discouraged about something. Because God cared enough about me to sow seeds into my life, I have the fruit there to pass on to my children. God is good.

5) I am thankful that we were able to hire movers. We are planning to move in July and using movers makes the move go so much more smoothly! We just need to pack everything up! Not a small task, but one that God will give us the strength to finish.

Seeing God in Sunglasses

My Monday was crazy busy, and I had tons of errands to run. I started out at the gym and it was downhill after that. While driving into town, I realized that I had forgotten my sunglasses. After squinting for 30 minutes, I developed a headache so I decided to drop by the grocery store to buy some advil - and some sunglasses!

I spent a few minutes picking out my new shades and a cute carrying case, as well as a water bottle and some advil for my headache.

I boldly approached the express checkout line because I only had four items to purchase. Unfortunately, as the clerk began ringing up my order the carrying case didn't ring up. After several tries the clerk called the manager over to go and get the price off of the shelf.

There I was, holding up the entire express lane. It was close to lunch time and the line was growing behind me. I felt as if everyone was starring at me with frustration for holding them up! I was sure I could actually hear the seconds as they ticked by saying, "You're holding EVERYONE up!"

In a desperate effort to distract the lady behind me (and my overactive imagination) I looked at the items placed on the belt by the lady in line behind me. Interestingly, she was buying 10 identical packs of frozen baby lima beans.

Trying to be witty, I said, "I'll bet I can guess what your favorite vegetable is." *smile*

This opened up the floodgates and she proceeded to tell me that her son had such severe food allergies that this was one of the only foods he could eat. She said that whenever she sees them in the store, she buys up all of them.

Now the check out clerk chimed in to tell her that if she talked to the manager, he could order the lima beans by the case for her to pick up at a discount! What a hidden treasure!

I was embarrassed that I had felt uncomfortable about the price check when God clearly needed to help this lady find a small break in her life. I rejoiced with her that God was good.

Then, after the longest five minutes of my life, the manager returned to say that there were NO price's on any of the carrying cases and to just give them to me for FREE! WOOOHOOO!

Suddenly, I forgot that I had caused a serious backup in the express line, and I left with a smile on my face. It's great to find God in the everyday events in our lives. Now to just learn to trust Him in every situation. Hmmm, I believe there is a scripture about this:

1Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) Ggive thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I'm thankful that my husband prays with me every morning. It is sacred to us and we haven't missed a morning since the year began.

2) I'm thankful that we've bought a new house and close tomorrow! Now to get everything ready to move!

3) I'm thankful for my friends. Hanging out with Kelly this week was really fun. We need friends in our lives to encourage us.

4) I'm thankful for my family (both mine and my husband's). I have family who all lives in Richmond (on both sides of our family) and it's great to be surrounded by so many supportive people.

5) I'm thankful for your patience as I didn't have my Thankful Thursday post up and running until almost 9am! Clearly I need to put this on my "to do" list. LOL! I'm a work in progress! Love you!

HELP! My Life is Running Me!

"HELP! My life is running me, and I'm no longer running my life."

Desperate words spoken to my husband on Thursday night.

I have goals in my head that I want to accomplish, but somehow, I'm muddling through life busily accomplishing none of them. My biggest challenge is being a type "B" personality. I HATE lists, and have been fighting the idea of living life by a list for many years now.

First things first, I gave my husband permission to "solve" my problems because he knows that often times I just want a sympathetic word of encouragement. Next, I resolved to do whatever he suggested.

Why? Because he is a type "A" who has successfully run his own business for many years now. I knew he had the answers, but I knew I'd have to adjust them to fit a type "B" more comfortably.

"30, 60, 90," He said.

"What does that mean?" I questioned.

"You have to have direction, Sonya, and knowing what you need to accomplish over the next 30, 60, and 90 days is the key to taking back your life."

I quietly pulled out a notebook and began to write down everything I could think of that needed to be completed by the end of summer. Then I either wrote 30, 60, or 90 beside each one to help me prioritize them.

Looking over my arduous list, I developed a knot in my gut and thought I might throw up! How will I ever get it all done? I wondered.

Next, my husband showed me how to break down each project into measurable steps which I could transfer to my actual planner. (Yes, I do have a planner - just never used it like this before.)

Then, in an unexpected twist, my husband gave me the golden nugget that I had been missing in the past. You see, I've tried making "lists" on several occasions, but as soon as an emergency visit to the Doctor would arise I would abandon my list - the end.

Here's the nugget:

"Now prioritize each day's goals so you know which are the top three areas of importance. When an interruption comes in your day you will go back to your list and replace something of a lower priority with one of the top three. This should help you ensure completion of the most important things. The ones that had to be neglected for the moment can be re-scheduled for another day or time."

Tim had graciously given me the key to success. As a type "B" I had never understood how to handle the unexpected interruptions when it came to my list. Now, I believe that I am armed with the tools I need to accomplish much this summer.

If your life has been running you lately, I hope this article will be the nugget you've been looking for to help you take back your life, too.

New House

Just wanted to give everyone an update on the house hunt. A little less than three months ago, we placed an offer on a house that was in a short sale.

Today, we got the go ahead from the bank that owned the house! YEAH! Now let's pray that my current house sells soon. (It isn't contingent on our buying the new house.)

A long wait, but well worth it! The house was sold WAY under assessment. Praise God!

The new house is on 2.5 acres and has six bedrooms and 4 full baths. A three car garage, and a two story den which opens into the kitchen. GORGEOUS! The kitchen has a double oven and a walk-in pantry - a dream kitchen for this mom of six! The master bedroom is HUGE and the master bath has two separate vanities and a soaking tub separate from the large shower. It has a large closet in the Master bedroom and an even larger walk-in closet in the master bath. I am so excited. One of our favorite features is the large number of windows all throughout the back of the house. It is bright and cheery.

The neighborhood has several lakes that we can use and fish - my hubby and son are quite excited about that prospect.

Looks like we will close on Friday! Thanks to all of you who have been in prayer about this. God is in control and His timing is perfect.

Thankful Thursday #30

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I am thankful that I have a husband to walk through the different stages of parenting with.

2) I am thankful that my church just began offering a Growing Kids God's Way class for the teen years. We went to the first class on Tuesday night and it was really good stuff! My favorite phrase was, "Young children rebel against authority, but teens rebel against relationship." That is profound!

3) I am thankful that I have a pretty good relationship with my oldest daughter. She has also been making good decisions lately which has made her Dad and I proud of her.

4) I am thankful that as my oldest daughter begins to face new and uncharted territory, she feels comfortable coming to talk to me about them! What a precious thing for me to be able to share with her in these new experiences of life.

5) I am thankful that the house we've made an offer on (back in April) seems to be winding down to a final decision. We've actually had correspondence from the bank who owns this house and believe that it is a sign that the end is near.

My advice to you if you ever decide to place an offer on a house in a short sale: 1) Run away, run away fast! 2) Make the offer and then don't expect any results for at least three months - however, they will seem like the longest three months of your life!

Myrtle Beach Vacation

We had a wonderful time vacationing at Myrtle Beach, S.C. last week. The weather was perfect! It was sunny and in the mid 80's the entire week. Being at the beach is one of our favorite vacation spots and we are always relaxed and able to unwind right away.

I have plenty of great pictures that I'd love to share with you but - It is midnight and I'm exhausted!! Our Realtor called us this afternoon to tell us that someone is coming to look at our house in the morning! YEAH! We are ready to sell this house and move to our new one (still waiting to hear about it for those of you who are following us). Please pray that our house will sell and that we will have closure on the house we are trying to buy.

I'll try to upload more pic's later in the week but can't promise anything.

Thank you for visiting my blog - you are all very important to me! God Bless.

PS. I'll keep you posted on the housing situation over here. Thank you for your prayers.

Thankful Thursday #29

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I am thankful that my husband decided to book a week at Myrtle Beach, S.C. for his family! I am having a blast.

2) I am thankful that school is out for the summer so that we could take this last minute family vacation (We decided to do this 2 days before we came here!).

3) I am thankful that if you wait until the last minute to book your vacation you can get a really good deal on an ocean front condo!

4) I am thankful that we have great family neighbors who are willing to watch our pets whenever we venture out into the world!

5) I am thankful that being at the beach has been a great place for me to really feel close to God. Appreciating creation always leads back to worshiping the Creator Himself!

Gone to the Beach

I am going to interrupt my regularly scheduled Monday post to take a break at Myrtle Beach, SC with my family.

I'll leave you with a picture I took from my balcony. (I will be online for Thankful Thursday).