Easter 2013!

The last couple of years we have gone to both Easter services and the pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt in between. It makes for a long morning for the kids but the Egg Hunt (and treats) is a nice incentive.  Unfortunately, even though we were there on time and ready to go, there were no eggs left for our little ones.  The bigger kids (and a few of the little ones) along with some kids whose parents swung by specifically for the Egg Hunt got all of the eggs!  I, along with some of the other parents, were so frustrated.  It just didn't seem fair. Thank goodness Keegan didn't quite understand since the poor boy was there for hours on end.  Of course, the most important part of Easter is that Jesus rose again and we are saved.  But still, some eggs would have been nice.... BUT thankfully the kids thought it would be tons of fun to go on a pine cone hunt instead.  I don't even think they realized that wasn't the point!  Keegan and his gal Avery got quite the loot of pine cones! Gotta love 'em!

As for Easter baskets, we didn't go through them until after service. Jay and Kara always seem to get some goodies from the Easter Bunny too....

AND Easter also meant one more week until the Gender Reveal Party!!!!

Amazing Grace - How Bittersweet it is

I still have several posts from the past few months to make and was hoping to post in order but I really feel like I have to post a snap shot of these past two weeks.  These incredibly sad weeks.

We started out last week with the Boston Marathon Bombings on Monday 4/15 and the chaos that ensued.  Then, much closer to home, a dear friend's mother passed away.  On 4/17 there was an explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas.  Finally, on Thursday 4/18 a young lady from church gave birth at 28 weeks pregnant.  Her sweet baby boy passed away the next day after 14 hours in this world.

I went to two memorial services in less than a week's time.

My dear friend's mom's funeral was last Saturday.  She and her husband (his dad) were married for 40 years.  It was incredibly heartbreaking to see the pain her family was in with her passing.  She was such a blessing in this world.  They also talked about how amazing it was that my friend's parents were married for 40 years.  It sure is commendable, especially in today's society.  Marriage can be hard work - I know!  Next summer Jay and I will be married for a decade!  I hope when I pass away "they" can say that through good and bad we stuck together and worked through life together.

Tonight was the memorial service for sweet baby Loretto.  I never did get to meet him.  Baby Lee 2.0 was kicking like crazy throughout the whole service.  I'd like to think she was telling me that Loretto is now doing great and is home with Jesus waiting until his family and we all join him in heaven or at the time of the Resurrection. It was particularly hard for several reasons but two of them include that I was 6 weeks behind her in this pregnancy (thank you Jesus that we are still going strong, I can't even imagine the pain) and also remembering my dear sisters funeral. She passed away 10 days before her 1st birthday.  Baby funerals are hard.

One thing is for sure, the two individuals whose memorial services I attended are in heaven with Jesus waiting.  And as sad as these last two weeks have been, the thing we can take comfort in is God's amazing Grace.

AMAZING GRACE

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
 

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
 

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
 

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
 

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Refreshed (BSLC)

Some people just have a way of making you feel rejuvenated, energized, motivated, and plain old good.

My dear friend Tiffany is like that.  What a blessing she has been in my life the last 15+ years let alone just the last few!

Family Music Time had parent play date night last night and we (after being torn as to what to do and wanting to be in two places at one time) bypassed our monthly Young Adults Beef O'Brady's bible study (how cool is that!? You should come some time!) and went to the parent play date.  It was so informative and will help us make the most of our time as members of the Family Music Time community.  Keegan has just grown leaps and bounds in so many facets due to this music class - and it's only our second semester!

But alas, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church was not far from our minds!  After the music class we went to dinner and talked all things BSLC.  We are so excited about some new areas for growth and ministry in our small little church that is also growing leaps and bounds. 

It was an interesting discussion and realization that WE will be the potential future leadership of the church.  Some day WE will take over the reigns and so it is important to get involved now and keep our children and families and friends all growing together in a positive way.  Also by WE I don't just mean Tiffany and I, but Tiffany and I know we are a part of the WE.

We both really believe that God put is in this church for a reason, whether it just be for our benefit or to serve as well. Okay, God, we hear you loud and clear! 

Our discussion of course came to vocation.  We have our standard vocations and things we each feel compelled to be a part of.  Our vocations in life cross many paths with each other and we can build off of each other's strengths and support each other's weaknesses. We also talked about how vocations don't necessarily mean always enjoying what you do or the easy way etc.  Sometimes our purpose, our vocations, can be the hard thing to do and include sacrifice. It's also so easy to question when I feel like my own life is a mess and broken. Man am I broken.  Simul justus et peccator. But I digress....

I still don't completely know what I am to do in life.  I truly, truly feel that God's path for me is to be a mom.  I feel I am meant to have more kids and to be hands on in raising them.  What more noble cause is there?! I also truly, truly feel God wants me to be at BSLC and to serve him there.  Of course going to worship each week is something He wants.  But that's not really serving Him.  That's reinforcement of his grace and a recharge for the week. He wants me to Serve.  I think this next year is going to start bringing some of this to the forefront.  For now, I am ready!  I have my co-conspirator Tiffany by my side which just makes me more energized. I may struggle along the way but I know His Will will be done.

Church Commitments

It's weird, but I really feel like there is a specific purpose or role for me that God has set out above and beyond my primary roles of wife and mother (and employer but I really wouldn't say that my "work" role is a calling but more of a means to an end).  Of course, I do not know what this role is. 

I feel a connection with my church home.  Not just a "I love the people and it makes me feel good" sort of connection but more of a "a-ha, I hear you God, this is where I am supposed to be whether I want to fight it or not."  (And I do love the people!)

Sure it would be easier to sleep in on Sundays, skip bible study, and keep my comfortable relationship with the Lord that requires minimal commitment.  Sometimes I crave that. Then I think how ridiculous that is. Jesus said pick up your cross and follow me REGARDLESS of what you may lose.  And how blessed to be in position to not lose much (other than that sleep on a Sunday morning - although Keegan kind of puts a stop to that anyways).  I do know I should not let my responsibilities as wife and mother suffer for my involvement in church activities but really they don't.  If anything, they are enriched by it.

I had a series of events, both good and bad, that have solidified my spot in my church family.  God directing me every step of the way through blessings and sorrows.

Why am I writing about this?  What am I rambling on about?  Well I feel like I am at a crossroads. 

Commitments.  A crossroads as to what to commit to and what those commitments entail.  They can all kind of go hand in hand.  It will be interesting to see what these next few months bring.

Sometimes I want to step back and not step up. Why?  I don't know.  To not be commited.  To not have the accountability that comes along with commitment.

Then I think, "I would rather have my hands full, than my hands empty." What a blessing it is to have a house to clean, a child to raise, activities to do, things to learn, people to help. Sometimes it is all about how you think of it.

To be continued.....

Foot Prints in the Sand

I have "Footprints in the Sand" hung up in my bedroom. Every day I get to see this poem and how fitting it is.  God never promises that our lives will be easy and without challenges - how can they be in this sinful and broken world.  But the glorious thing is, I know Jesus is with me every step of the way, even during the hard times.  The hard times may not disappear, but Jesus carries me through them.  We don't always know what another person is struggling with.  Sometimes the challenges are out in the open, sometimes they are hidden away.  Even with the very public challenges of life, we don't know how one is feeling or coping with them.

I am far from a strong person.  My mother once told me she was amazed at my strength, through all of my grief, to go on with life after my sister died.  I told her it wasn't my strength, but my faith, that got me through it.

So last night, as I looked at this Poem and read it for what must be the millionth time, I thought, thank you, Jesus, for carrying me yet again. I hope you can take as much comfort from this as I do.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson