Happy Easter!

Hope your Easter Morning is blessed! We had a fun time yesterday, reading the Easter story, making resurrection rolls, painting eggs and talking about Jesus death and coming back to life. Today was a wonderful service at church too.

My thoughts...

Today, I was volunteering in Regan's classroom. As I was washing the tempera paint from the paint brushes and watching the murky water swirl down the drain, my mind wandered to another world. As I performed the simple task of cleaning paint brushes, I couldn't help but think about those who don't even have clean water to drink, let alone to clean paint brushes with. I was thinking how the water washing off the paint brushes today was probably cleaner and safer than the water they drink every day.

Over Christmas, our church participated in the Advent Conspiracy. In the three months since then, my mind has wondered often to the water needs of our world and the ministry of Living Water International.

As I have prayed about these things, I have been constantly asking God 'what do you want me to do about it?'. He has laid on my heart lately that every little bit counts, so do what you can and I will bless it.

Yesterday, I visited the Living Water Site and read this:

A child dies every 15 seconds because of the lack of clean water. It costs us an average of $0.98 to provide clean, safe water to one person for one year: every dollar makes a difference!

I am not someone who finds it easy to ask people to give money to something, even if it is something I believe in. And now, of all times, isn't the best time to ask...so, I won't.

But I do have something to ask of you and a way that you can help! I write my blog mostly to record things for my family to remember. However, I am curious about who actually reads it! LOL!! So, if you are reading this, leave me a comment. Tell me what ministry or cause tugs at your heart strings. If you had a lump sum of money that your HAD to give away...where would it go??

For every comment left here...I will donate $1 to Living Water International. Your simple post will provide one person with clean water for one year. It doesn't get much easier than that.

A Couple of characters!

Yesterday, we went to a sport show at the DeVos place. I've never seen so many fishing lures in one place at one time, but we did have a good time! lol! We walked around the exhibits fairly quickly. The girls enjoyed seeing the live deer and baby bear and the 'sparkly' things being tied into flies.

We sat down to some cinnamon almonds while we waited for the highlight of the event...the jumping dogs (dogs who run down a dock and see how far they can jump in the water). Where we were sitting, there was a guy doing Charicatures for tips, so I had him draw the girls. These artists always have amazed me, but I have never had one done before. I think it turned out adorable!

New Paints

I was inspired by some friends blogs recently, to venture into the 'real' watercolor section of my local Hobby Lobby. Armed with Sage's $20 birthday money from Grandpa and Grandma and little to no wisdom about the product, I purchased a couple of things for the girls. I bought some watercolor paper, a kit with some brushes, mixing tray, pencils and tubes of paint and found a couple 8 color trays on clearance (these look very similar to the 'kiddie' ones I had been purchasing for the girls. Let me tell you though, they are nothing alike!

I gave each of the girls a piece of water color paper and let them use the 8 color trays. I can't believe the difference in paint quality! The paints we were using before were so hard to get any color from, we usually just ended up with a big watery mess. These take only a little water and produce some great colors! What fun!!

We all had a little fun creating our first watercolor 'art' and I can see us doing a lot more painting now! (Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for the Birthday money to spend on some new supplies!)

Time with a friend

Regan had her friend Eden over for the night last night. The girls have been friends for over 4 years already. They were nice enough to let me practice some of my photography skills on them. :)

A Work in Progress...

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:6

I am so thankful for this verse, as it reminds me that God never gives up on me. He continues to believe in me and work in me, no matter how many times I fail.

Being a mom is so much harder than I ever fathomed it would be. There are days when it seems I look at the clock every 10 minutes to see if it is over yet. There are days I feel like I could just tape record myself and put the recording on an endless loop, as I seem to have to repeat things so many times. There are many days when I wonder 'what was I thinking...what did I get myself into'.

But, fortunately, God continues to work in me. He continues to give me grace and patience. He reminds me that I, myself, have to hear things over and over and over before I 'get it' and obey.

Here are some things God is working on in my life. Some are going better than others, but all are a work in progress: (sorry, but this will be sort of a rambling of thoughts)

Finding joy in my role as a mom. Releasing the need for validation from places other than God and my family. Learning to be less selfish with 'my time' (ie Sage's naptime). Doing dinner prep during this time, so I can be freed up to focus on Regan when she gets home from school. Paying bills and organizing paperwork during this time so the 'pile' is staring at me the rest of the day and causing frustration. Doing a little bit of cleaning so the house isn't totally neglected. Spending less time at the computer while my children are eating breakfast and lunch. Spend more time interacting with them while we are eating breakfast and lunch. Minimizing the time the girls spend in front of the TV. Include the girls in making meals and baking and such instead of trying to find something to occupy them so I can do it myself. Pray for wisdom in discipline methods and patience and grace when executing them. Nurturing the 'I can do anything through Him who gives me strength' attitude.

I found a lot of encouraging words in this passage today:

Ephesians 5

¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. ⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^a]">[a] ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

May God continue to help me make the most of every opportunity with my girls and help me to be thankful for the chance to be the primary influence in their life, at least for a season.

My favorite thing...

Each night, after devotions, we ask the girls what their favorite part of the day was. It is always interesting to hear what they perceive as 'the best' part of the day. Sometimes it can by insanely funny, like Sage saying 'Trick or Treating' every night for about 5 weeks after Halloween was done. Other times, it can be outright frustrating. Like when you have made a point to plan a totally fun, kid oriented day and at the end of it they shrug their shoulders and say 'I don't know'. Or, it can be somewhat predictable. Like Regan, whose answer about 75% of the time is 'school'. When asked 'what about school', then we usually get the 'ummmm's' or 'I don't know'. :)

Well, tonight I took my turn sharing my favorite thing. Today, out of the blue, Sage wrapped her little arms around me as far as she could and said 'Your the bestest Mommy in the whole world'! How can that not melt your heart! It almost made me cry as I thought about this past week and how I haven't really felt like the 'bestest' mom in the world. I have been sick for a week and a half and my parenting has consisted mostly of television. My mood hasn't been the best, either, as I have battled headaches for most of those days and they tend to make me grouchy. It made me realize how unconditional their love is and how simple their minds are. What a blessing that they don't hold grudges and resentments and frustrations against us when we fall short of perfect as parents. If only I could learn how to do that with others.

Once again, I am left to learn life lessons.....from a three year old.