Identity... who am I?

Child of God's
wife
Redeemed
mother
Saved from hell
pray-ER
teacher - homeschooler
friend

Identity. Identify with.
Who am I?
Who do people think that I am?

Today while showering (again when I could blog my best thoughts,) I was thinking about how my last 3 children know a different mom than my first 2. The above list hasn't changed much over my almost 30 years of being a married adult. But when I think of who I was and to who I feel I am today - it just has a totally different look.

I used to love to move furniture, paint a room, wallpaper a wall, lead worship, stencil a border, sew a dress, bake cookies, host a party, do the music at a wedding, add an extra family to the dinner table, babysit an extra child, teach Sunday School, clean the house in an hour and on a weekly basis, and so the list could go on! A changer and a doer ... I was.

I used to be such a multi-tasker. When I got a great idea - I did it. Today when my ideas begin... they may not even go any place further than my head or heart.

Today, what a different woman I am. When I know what I need to do, what I have to do, and what I want to do... I come and sit at the computer and don't get any of it done.

These last three will know me as quite the shopper, Gramma Candy, Gramma Kiss, reader, computer sitter... seems like I've become quite the vegetable in my aged years.

But at least that first list hasn't changed and what God sees me as - His Own - I am not my own, I was bought with a price (I Corinthians 6 and again in Chapter 7) - I want to honor God in ALL I do! So I better get going today and DO it!

Understanding TRUST...

Seems like it's my theme lately as last week a fine young husband & father of 3 beautiful daughters, was taken by a freak accident. Now this week the Haitian earthquake and then AGAIN in our small community - a friend's precious baby grandson's life was stolen by SIDS.
Oh for grace to TRUST Him more - I keep singing the line of that hymn over and over.
In Nov. 08 - I wrote part of the words and here I am in Jan. 2010 still singing it. The last verse says:
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Oh how I am clinging to my Faithful Father, knowing that His Word holds the promises for life that we so desperately need. The same questions keep coming up and the exact answers may be hard to find but I know my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge— Ps. 147:8

Colossians 1 - from The Message

...asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard... As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. From Col 1: 9 - read the rest through vs 18 from The Message

My Precious GRAND- Princesses

CHRISTmas 09...

What should I get for _______? What should I make to eat for that party? Should we buy ______ 1 more gift? In the middle of night in the midst of hormonal heat or 3 AM menopausal insomnia - the questions of Christmas rear up.
Oh I am so thankful for our Immanuel - God with us, GOD WITH ME - gives confidence that even in the silliest of uncertainty NOT to give way to anxiety or fear…
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers — most of which are never even seen — don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? ... RELAX, don't be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:33-34 (The Message)
Oh how I love that part steep my life in God-reality! Isn't it just assurance that no matter what we're going through - mental pain, physical despair, financial upheaval, uncertainty of our country's government - God wants us to rest in Immanuel! How very thankful I am this Christmas that God sent His One and Only Son through whom all things came and through whom I live! (I Cor. 8:6) That is CHRISTmas!

the cabin...

wanting to invest in a piece of property that our family could enjoy - bigs and littles - we found this charming little place on 7 acres on the Methow. It is just too peaceful for words... and a delightful tubin' trip down to Papa's cabin too! Worst part is our very UNWANTED guests that we can't seem to rid the place of. Maybe that's why they sold?
Overall though - the memories that we have in the Methow over all the years and now to think that we own a little piece gives us gratitude once again of our Heavenly Father's outpouring upon us!


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Watching God work His purpose in our adult children's lives...

God's goodness & faithfulness are so evident in our oldest one's life! Danielle began a small preschool out of her home last year, and now this school year is also running another one in town. God's fruit of patience is incredible in her! With 2 little princesses 14 months apart - Danielle is continually on the go! I pray He continues to give her all the strength, joy, and peace she needs! He is her strength!