Now, THAT'S what I'm talking 'bout!
The boys had their annual Book Fair this week at school and all it has done is 'Fed the Reading Bug'. They can't get enough of their new 'Chapter Books.' This has been this mama's dream before I ever had children in my home - that they would 'heart' reading as much as I do - or more. They have read and read the last two days...Isaac has read 6 chapters of his book this morning already and loves stopping to tell me about the adventures. Jonah is reading his in spurts and laughs out loud at the silly stories...and, of course, I am thrilled to hear every word. We are also reading aloud from the books and they love to hear us read them and delight. Mike and I both are readers - hopefully seeing us read has fanned the flames!

We have had reading time in our house every evening since they were small following family worship time...and I think it's paying off!

Family...Time.

I love these boys so much.
Jonah is adorably strong-willed, determined and passionate.

Isaac is imaginatively playful, creative, mischievous.

Abigail is all girl...bubblebaths, dolls, pink tutus. I love her...the mother-daughter relationship is a blast.

We've cooked at home alot this week. I love seeing them pull chairs up to the counter top to help - they are growing up so fast, they won't need them much longer.

They love to cook.

They are learning safety in the kitchen very well.

And...the microwave is helping them become very self-sufficient. They are learning to put something in, press the timer, and then call for mom or dad to get it out for them.

We love Saturday's at home together.

Simply Complex

I have been reading this wonderful book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss entitled
"Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free."
It has been SO interesting for me to examine my own life in light of the "lies" that she exposes and determine the ones that I have bought into either because of tradition, deception from Satan, or my lack of examining the truth and applying it vs. just accepting the status quo. Well - NO LONGER!
I want to live my life based on the truth of the Word of God - no deception, no tradition, mediocrity. So, I have been testing the lies against my own beliefs. And, I have been challenged in several areas.

Today, I just knew so strongly that I should share one area that God dealt with me so much about! Lie #18 describes the deception that "I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I'M SUPPOSED TO DO." Woweee - is this something I have struggled with! I have even recently dealt with a lot of facial pain/tension and stress that I can directly relate right back to this LIE! Especially, being a woman, I believe we so easily settle into this one. Who has ever said, "There just aren't enough hours in the day," or "I just can't get it all done," or "I'm overwhelmed - how am I going to get all this done?"

However, I have now learned the GREATEST, GREATEST thing! I love it when God's Word speaks directly to your life and situation...When Jesus Christ was on this earth, He was only given a few short years to accomplish the entire plan that God had placed before His EARTHLY life. And, He summed it up in John 17:4 by stating,

"I have glorified you on the earth; I have finished the work which you gave me to do."

Now...rarely, can I - Melisa - say that I have finished everything I set out to do on any given day. I usually lie down at night, feeling like I left so much undone and feeling pressure mounting for the days to come. But, look again at the verse from John...

"...the work which you gave me to do." [emphasis mine]
THAT'S IT! DO YOU SEE IT?
Ms. DeMoss states it better than I can...

"The frustration comes when I attempt to take on responsibilities that are not on His agenda for me. When I established my own agenda or let others determine the priorities for my life, rather than taking time to discern what it is that God wants me to do, I end up buried under piles of half-finished, poorly done, or never-attempted projects and tasks. I live with guilt, frustration, and haste, rather than enjoying the peaceful, well-ordered life that He intends."

Am I over it? Not yet...am I pursuing to
KILL THE LIE AND LIVE IN TRUTH?
YEP!
Easy...No. Do-able...Yes.
Simply complex!

Help me, Lord!